PSV restore some Dutch pride after Ajax thrashed in the Champions League | OneFootball

PSV restored some Dutch pride in the Champions League on Wednesday evening as they battled back to earn a 1-1 draw away to Bayer Leverkusen. The side had been 1-0 down after Christian Kofane opened the scoring in the 65th minute. PSV had had the ball int he back of the net early, but Ivan Persic’s strike was ruled out by VAR for offside. Ismael Saibari grabbed an equaliser just a few minutes after Kofane opened the scoring to ensure PSV are off the mark in the Champions League this season. However, after a 3-1 opening day defeat to Union St Gilloise they are now looking at an uphill task to make it through from the league phase. Up next is a home clash with Napoli, by no means an easy game.

Ajax fared far worse and just do not look like they have what it takes to compete in this years Champions League. The Amsterdam side followed up their 2-0 home defeat to Inter with a 4-0 away defeat in the south of France to Marseille. The Ligue 1 side were 3-0 up by half-time before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it four shortly into the second half. Things will not get easier for Ajax in this years Champions League with a trip to Chelsea near the end of October. In fairness, this will mean they have gotten the three toughest opponents out of the way early. Yet they will still need to raise their level when they face the likes of Galatasaray, Benfica, Qarabag and Villarreal.

In the Eredivisie, Ajax face a trip to Rotterdam to face Sparta, while PSV travel to PEC Zwolle.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson