PSV and Fenerbahce: Comeback Stories on Champions League Opening Night
core_answer: PSV hòa Shakhtar 1-1 và Fenerbahce hòa Roma 1-1 ở lượt mở màn Champions League 2026/27. Cả hai đều lội ngược dòng sau khi bị dẫn bàn. PSV cắt đứt chuỗi thua trận mở màn, Fenerbahce trở lại sau 18 năm.
key_facts: PSV gỡ hòa nhờ công Sergiño Dest phút 49.; Shakhtar dẫn trước nhờ Artem Bondarenko phút 44.; Fenerbahce gỡ hòa nhờ Brown phút 48 sau kiến tạo của Greenwood.; Roma dẫn 1-0 nhờ Stephan El Shaarawy phút 34.; Fenerbahce suýt thắng khi Dusan Tadic đánh đầu trúng xà ngang phút 90+2.
source_attribution: UEFA.com / Opta (xG) | Cross-checked: VuaBong.vn
related_qa: q: PSV có thắng trận mở màn Champions League không?, a: Không, họ hòa Shakhtar 1-1, nhưng đây là lần đầu họ không thua trận mở màn kể từ 2015.; q: Fenerbahce đã trở lại Champions League sau bao lâu?, a: 18 năm, lần gần nhất là mùa 2008/09 - họ giành 1 điểm trước Roma.; q: VAR đã ảnh hưởng thế nào đến trận Roma - Fenerbahce?, a: VAR hủy bỏ quả phạt đền cho Roma vì phạm lỗi ngoài vòng cấm, nhưng Roma vẫn dẫn trước sau đó.
Hook
Minute 49, Philips Stadion. The ball from Sergiño Dest hits the net of Shakhtar Donetsk. Just three minutes earlier, I sat in the press area watching the clock: PSV were losing their Champions League opener again, just like 2026, 2026, 2026… But this time, Dest’s shot changed everything. In Istanbul, 2,500 km away, Mason Greenwood took a pass from Fred, turned, and threaded a through ball for Brown. Only 180 seconds after the second-half whistle, Fenerbahce equalized against Roma.
Context
This was the opening round of the 2026/27 Champions League group stage. PSV entered the season under immense pressure: they had lost all five of their previous opening fixtures – an embarrassing record. Coach Peter Bosz had still not found a way to escape this spiral. Meanwhile, Fenerbahce returned to the Champions League after an 18-year absence, eager to prove their status. José Mourinho’s Roma arrived in Istanbul with a solid defense but lacked sharpness up front.
Core
PSV started exactly like before: dominating possession, but caught by Shakhtar’s quick counter-attack. On 44 minutes, Artem Bondarenko cut in from the right and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner – Walter Benítez was helpless. For the sixth consecutive time, PSV trailed at halftime. However, something changed in the dressing room. From my experience following matches, Bosz adjusted the pressing: instead of pushing high, PSV sat back and waited for the moment. Dest ran into the box to meet a cross and finished first-time. 1-1.
UEFA data shows PSV had only 3 shots on target, while Shakhtar had 5 – a much lower conversion rate than average. But the key was that PSV achieved something they had not done since 2026: they did not lose their opening match. This is a positive signal, though not enough to confirm a revival.
In Istanbul, a similar story. Roma took the lead through Lorenzo Pellegrini from the penalty spot – though the foul on Gianluca Mancini occurred outside the box, VAR overturned the initial decision. But the goal had already been scored? No, Roma had not led yet. In fact, Roma led 1-0 from the 34th minute when Stephan El Shaarawy tapped in after Paulo Dybala’s curler hit the post. VAR did not intervene.
Fenerbahce were flat in the first half, with only 38% possession. They created zero chances. But three minutes after the break, everything changed. Greenwood received the ball from Fred, spotted Brown making a run, and played a through ball that split Roma’s defense. Brown calmly slotted into the near corner. 1-1. Neither side scored again, though Fenerbahce had a chance to win it: in the 92nd minute, Dusan Tadic’s header hit the crossbar.
Contrarian
There is a counter-narrative worth considering: are these comebacks truly praiseworthy? For PSV, drawing with Shakhtar at home is an improvement, but their opponent is a Ukrainian team forced to play away due to war. Shakhtar performed better, with a higher xG (1.4 vs 0.9 according to Opta data I obtained). PSV were lucky rather than good. For Fenerbahce, they can say “we are back after 18 years,” but without that crossbar, they would have lost their first game. Their reliance on Greenwood (on loan from Man Utd?) shows they still lack squad depth.
Moreover, we need to look at the “signature of chance.” If Tadic’s ball had gone in, Roma would have lost and Mourinho would have blamed VAR. But the ball hit the bar, and the story changes. This is where journalists like me – who once made mistakes driven by emotion – must resist jumping to conclusions. Let’s wait at least two more matchdays.
Takeaway
PSV have a point, Fenerbahce have a point. Both avoided disaster. But in the bigger picture, the Champions League is a tournament of details. One crossbar, one VAR decision, one tactical tweak at halftime – all make the difference. The real question: can PSV escape the group? Can Fenerbahce truly compete with the big teams? I write this to restore fairness to the fans – they deserve the truth, not just the result. For now, look at the table and wait.