PSV Eindhoven suffered a 3-1 defeat to Villarreal in their first public pre-season friendly on Sunday, with a 74-point total from the 2025/26 Eredivisie season as the backdrop. The Eindhoven side paid a heavy price after half-time for a string of defensive errors that led to three Spanish goals. Ruben van Bommel, who returned to the starting XI after nearly a year of injury struggles, watched from the bench as his team lost control.**
What happened in the match?
PSV started brightly, with Alassane Pléa nearly scoring after two minutes following a move involving Sven Mijnans, while Dennis Man also tested the Villarreal goalkeeper. Within ten minutes, however, Villarreal had seized control. Georges Mikautadze had three big chances in quick succession, but Matej Kovar kept the Spaniards at bay early on. After the break, the picture changed dramatically. PSV’s defence proved vulnerable, with turnovers and individual errors allowing Mikautadze back into the game.
The opener arrived in the 66th minute when Mikautadze burst through after Pléa lost possession, rounded Kovar and rolled the ball in. Six minutes later, Ayoub Thiam made it 0-2 from close range. Mauro Júnior pulled one back for PSV after a Villarreal error, but Cabanes restored the three-goal lead in the 75th minute after another Kovar mistake.
Why does this matter for PSV Eindhoven?
This defeat, despite a 74-point haul in the 2025/26 Eredivisie, highlights PSV’s defensive frailties in pre-season fixtures. The errors under pressure and the lack of clear-cut chances from open play are worrying signs ahead of the new campaign. Ruben van Bommel, who returned after a year of injury struggles, saw his team lose control and had to watch from the bench.
The match also underlines the urgency to fix defensive issues before the season kicks off next Sunday against AZ in the Johan Cruyff Shield. PSV entered the new season as Eredivisie champions with a 19-point lead over Feyenoord, but must address these weaknesses quickly to maintain their dominance.
What’s next for PSV Eindhoven?
After the Villarreal setback, PSV face FC Eindhoven in a friendly on Thursday. The new Eredivisie season begins next Sunday with the Johan Cruyff Shield clash against AZ. PSV go into the new season as defending champions with 84 goals scored and 40 conceded in the 2025/26 Eredivisie, but must first resolve these defensive problems.
The Villarreal friendly showed that despite their 74-point haul last term, PSV still have work to do. The focus now shifts to restoring defensive organisation and finding rhythm in pre-season, with the new campaign opening against AZ in the Johan Cruyff Shield.
