EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AP) — PSV Eindhoven’s stunning rise to the top of the Eredivisie has left fans and players alike in a state of disbelief as they approach the final match this Sunday.
Cheers erupted throughout PSV’s stadium following their resounding 4-1 defeat of Heracles, with American midfielder Malik Tillman netting a brace in the first half. As the match ended, supporters were glued to their phones, anxiously tracking Ajax’s game against Groningen, a tense scenario that could decide the fates of the title contenders.
Then came an unexpected turn of events. Ajax conceded a goal deep into injury time, resulting in a 2-2 draw—marking their fourth consecutive game without a win—and erasing their once secure nine-point lead atop the standings.
Euphoria washed over Tillman and his teammates, including fellow American Sergiño Dest, as they celebrated on the pitch, savoring a crucial moment for the defending champions.
In an astonishing flip, PSV converted their one-point deficit into a one-point lead, with only one game remaining.
The dramatic highlight of the week? “90+9.”
Not long ago, it seemed PSV’s title dreams were hanging by a thread as they found themselves trailing by two goals against Feyenoord, a team ranked third in the league, within the first ten minutes. However, a spirited comeback, capped off by a last-minute winner from Noa Lang, saw them turn the game around and secure a thrilling 3-2 victory.
In contrast, Ajax faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of mid-table NEC Nijmegen, adding layers of intrigue leading up to Wednesday’s matches.
Under the leadership of former Ajax head coach Peter Bosz, PSV is now positioned at the top for the first time since February, flipping the narrative in a title race that seemed to favor Ajax just weeks earlier.
Following a remarkable streak of six victories, PSV has ramped up the pressure on the historic Amsterdam club, which is staring down the barrel of an unprecedented late-season collapse under coach Francesco Farioli. Once deemed a herald of change after a challenging 2023-24 season that concluded without silverware, Ajax now finds themselves a staggering 35 points adrift of PSV.
This Sunday, PSV will travel to face Sparta Rotterdam, kicking off at the same time (2:30 p.m. local, 12:30 GMT) as Ajax’s home match against Twente.
While Ajax supporters may find some comfort in the fact that both teams are set to finish in the top two—guaranteeing their spots in next season’s Champions League—only one of these storied clubs will walk away with the trophy.
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