Pro Shots: PSV’s German curse after 1‑0 loss in Champions League

In the RB Arena one could see the cameras of © Pro Shots / Toin Damen focused on PSV, who again could not achieve a win on German soil. Peter Bosz's side lost 1‑0 to RB Leipzig in the Champions League, extending a painful run.

Historical overview of the German curse

It has now been almost fifty years since PSV last won an away match in Germany. In 1977 PSV beat Eintracht Braunschweig 2‑1 thanks to goals from Adrie van Kraaij and Gerrie Deijkers. Since then the club has lost fourteen times in Germany, drawn three times and not secured a single victory.

The defeats include, among others, FC Magdeburg (1‑0, 1978), HSV (2‑1 in 1980 and 1‑0 in 2010), Vorwärts Frankfurt (2‑0, 1984), Bayern Munich (2‑1 in 1990, 2‑1 in 1999 and 4‑1 in 2016), Karlsruher SC (2‑1, 1993), Bayer Leverkusen (5‑4, 1994), Kaiserslautern (3‑1 in 1998 and 1‑0 in 2001), Schalke 04 (3‑0, 2005), VfL Wolfsburg (2‑0, 2015) and Borussia Dortmund (2‑0, 2024).

Three draws took place: 0‑0 against Bayern in 1986, 0‑0 at Werder Bremen in 1995 and 1‑1 against Bayer Leverkusen last year.

PSV let chances slip as Leipzig up the pressure in the Champions League

Reactions after the loss to Leipzig

Captain Mauro Júnior felt that PSV deserved more: “We created enough chances, but you have to convert them at this level.” Coach Peter Bosz also saw potential: “The first 30 to 35 minutes were ours, but towards the break we struggled. Leipzig had big chances and we did as well.”

Bosz continued: “The chances you get, you must take. It’s then very bitter to lose here 1‑0.” The team could no longer keep the ball in the side and missed the crucial finishing.

Kovár's masterclass in Leipzig thrills PSV fans

This loss marks the second time this season that PSV have failed to score in the RB Arena, after an earlier blunder in the Johan Cruyff Shield against AZ (0‑4). The number of duels without a goal now matches the entire previous season, in which PSV recorded 47 duels.