AZ demolish PSV 4-0 in Johan Cruijff Schaal after early Veerman red card

Red card turns the tide

PSV's hopes of retaining the Johan Cruijff Schaal evaporated after just nine minutes when midfielder Joey Veerman was sent off for a high, studs-up challenge on AZ striker Mexx Meerdink. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük initially allowed play to continue but, after a VAR review, showed Veerman a straight red card. It was the first dismissal of the Volendammer's 359-match professional career. Meerdink required lengthy treatment for a neck wound and played on with a large bandage. PSV coach Peter Bosz had already seen his defence concede twenty chances against Villarreal in pre-season, and the early setback left his side with a mountain to climb.

AZ seize control

The man advantage took a quarter of an hour to tell. In the 25th minute, Mexican full-back Mateo Chávez delivered a cross that deflected off PSV defender Ryan Flamingo and fell perfectly for Meerdink to head home from close range. PSV, reduced to ten men, defended deep and nearly equalised when Dennis Man and Guus Til both forced saves from AZ goalkeeper Jari de Busser in quick succession. But AZ doubled their lead shortly after the break: Weslley Patati (listed as Weslley Pinto in one match report) cut inside from the right and curled a shot into the top corner. The floodgates then opened. Elijah Dijkstra exploited a failed offside trap to make it 3-0, and substitute Calvin Stengs was brought down by Yarek Gasiorowski in the area, allowing Troy Parrott to convert the penalty for 4-0 (one report credited Ro-Zangelo Daal with the fourth goal). PSV barely touched the ball in the second half and looked a beaten side long before the final whistle.

PSV's defensive frailties exposed

Bosz fielded almost the same backline that had struggled against Villarreal, with the only change being the inclusion of 18-year-old winger Amir Bouhamdi for his official debut. The teenager had impressed in pre-season but could do little to stem the tide. Sven Mijnans, who joined PSV from AZ in the summer, made his competitive debut against his former club and provided the cross for Til's chance, but the midfield was overrun after Veerman's dismissal. PSV's only other clear opportunity came from a Man shot that De Busser parried, with Til firing the rebound straight at the keeper.

Transfer undercurrents

The match was played against a backdrop of transfer speculation. AZ's highly rated midfielder Kees Smit missed out with a glute injury, fuelling rumours of a move, though coach Leeroy Echteld dismissed the talk. Strikers Troy Parrott and Mees de Wit have both told the club they want transfers, while defender Alexandre Penetra is expected to leave. AZ's strong financial position means they are under no pressure to sell, but the summer window remains open. PSV, meanwhile, may need to spend to fix a defence that has looked porous throughout pre-season.

Season starts next weekend

AZ's second Johan Cruijff Schaal triumph, after their 2009 win, sends them into the Eredivisie season with momentum. They host newly promoted ADO Den Haag on Saturday 8 August. PSV, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for their opener against Fortuna Sittard on the same day, with defensive reinforcements looking urgent.