PSV made almost double their usual chances and lost 2-1 to Brugge

Brugge won 2-1 in Eindhoven with well under half the ball and fewer chances than usual, while PSV made far more than their normal share and still lost.

PSV Eindhoven had 27 shots against Club Brugge, more than double their usual 12.3 in home matches, and still lost 2-1 at the Philips Stadion. Expected goals, a figure that scores each chance by how often chances like it go in, put PSV's attempts at 2.92 against a normal 1.52. A side creating that much usually wins, so the single goal they scored is the real puzzle of the night, and the home crowd saw their side take the initiative in shots and still leave with nothing.

Brugge had almost the opposite profile. Their 10 shots were fewer than the 11.7 they average away from home, and well under the league's 14.4 per team. Their expected goals of 1.78 sat far below the 3.16 they usually produce on the road, so by the chance measure they were the less threatening side, yet they scored twice.

Nicolo Tresoldi put Brugge ahead in the 25th minute, with Joaquin Seys providing the assist. Kodai Sano equalised for PSV in the 54th minute, the home side's only goal of the evening. Carlos Forbs restored Brugge's lead in the 65th minute, again set up by Seys, who ends the night with two assists. Three goals in all is below the league's average of 3.9 per match, and the game finished under that figure because PSV's extra chances did not turn into goals.

Much of the difference was at the other end. Y. Sommer made seven saves for Brugge and was rated 8.3, the highest mark in the match. PSV's keeper was called on only once. Seven saves is a lot of work for a goalkeeper, and it held Brugge's narrow lead in place for most of the second half.

PSV had 62% of the ball, a little above their usual 57%, while Brugge had 38%, well below the 55.7% they average away. Possession and chances are not the same thing, but here they pointed in opposite directions. Carlos Forbs was booked in the 28th minute, and Brugge finished with three yellow cards in total, while PSV received none. Nobody was sent off, so the game was played eleven against eleven throughout.

PSV had 20 shots from inside the box, against 6 for Brugge, and 9 on target against 3. Those are the chances that usually go in, which makes one goal from them a poor return for the home side. Brugge did not need many chances to win, and in this game they did not need any more.

PSV remain 21st in the table with four points from three games, while Brugge sit 13th with six.

Player of the matchY. Sommer7 saves8.3

K. Sano1 goal7.9

J. Seys2 assists7.9

N. Tresoldi1 goal7.9