PSV sign off after a campaign to forget
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Article summary
A 3-1 loss to Liverpool FC brought the curtain down on PSV Eindhoven's UEFA Champions League campaign with goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson conceding: "We haven't played very well in the competition at all."
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It was a case of three strikes and out for PSV Eindhoven as a trio of goals from visitors Liverpool FC consigned the Dutch champions to last place in UEFA Champions League Group D.
Particularly painful
It was particularly painful for Huub Stevens' side that the result they were dependent on in the other group match actually went their way. With Olympique de Marseille only managing a goalless draw against Club Atlético de Madrid, a win for PSV would have seen them progress to the UEFA Cup, but apart from a brief spell in an uninspiring first half when they led through Danko Lazović's goal, the home side never looked like taking all three points.
'Real blow'
"Their equaliser right before half-time was a real blow," said captain Timmy Simons. "We came out of the dressing room in the second half with the best intentions, knowing we had to score again to survive, but we never got going. In general we didn't pick up enough points in the home games during this Champions League campaign, and that eventually counted against us."
Disappointing campaign
PSV goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson agreed that it was not just about his side's display against Liverpool. "We haven't played very well in the competition at all," he said. "It was only really in the home game against Marseille that we did all right. Otherwise things didn't go as we had hoped. Of course it's a learning experience, but it's never good to lose."
Special strike
The 27-year-old Swedish international, who conceded 14 goals in the six group matches, graciously admitted that Albert Riera's sizzling second-half strike, which turned out to be Liverpool's winner, was something special. "It was a good shot from long distance. There wasn't much I could do. Normally I wouldn't expect to be beaten from so far out."
Unaware of the score
He also revealed that before his team fell behind he was unaware they were only one goal away from a UEFA Cup place. "I only knew it was 0-0 in Marseille at half-time. What was the final score there anyway?" he asked in all seriousness. His expression on hearing the full-time result from the Stade Vélodrome said it all.
