PSV Eindhoven captain Mauro Júnior has taken responsibility for the decisive goal in his side's 1-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig , admitting he failed to carry out his defensive duties during the set-piece situation.
Brajan Gruda's second-half strike from just outside the penalty area proved enough to secure victory for Leipzig in eastern Germany, leaving PSV with just one point from their opening two Champions League matches.
The result was a frustrating one for Peter Bosz's side, who created several opportunities but were unable to convert them into goals. Mauro, speaking to Ziggo Sport after the match, was particularly disappointed with his role in the moment that decided the contest.
![Mauro Júnior has taken responsibility for the decisive goal in his side's 1-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig [IMAGO/Newspix]](https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/8d37c06cae30d9e7cf730c9e1bac252e4cb748250a4f47d75b2b259ec42dd28c/lightyear_networkapi/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Froundtable_sports_psv_eindhoven_320%2F97d860fdece85c53eb0006287cc95d52.jpg)
Mauro Júnior has taken responsibility for the decisive goal in his side's 1-0 Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig [IMAGO/Newspix]
The PSV captain did not attempt to shift the blame after Gruda's strike, acknowledging that he was responsible for defending the area around the penalty box during corners.
"It was my job to defend around the penalty area during corners. I didn't do that well at that moment," Mauro admitted, as relayed by Jeroen Kapteijns of De Telegraaf .
Despite the disappointment, the Brazilian believed PSV had done enough to take something from the match. The visitors enjoyed a strong opening period and had opportunities to take the lead before Leipzig found the breakthrough.
"We deserved more. We had the chances for that. Of course, our goalkeeper Matej also did very well. But we had a penalty, which was missed by Ivan Perišić, and also a good chance in the second half for Sven Mijnans," he said.
"In the end, we unluckily conceded a goal from a set piece."
Perišić's missed penalty before half-time and Mijnans' subsequent opportunity after the break proved costly as PSV failed to turn their promising spells into a result.
Mauro nevertheless attempted to take encouragement from the performance, urging his teammates to remain positive despite another disappointing European result.
"We have to keep our heads up. We played a stable game. We controlled the match for a large part of the first half. We showed that we can play well at this level."
![Mijnans felt PSV had started the contest well but struggled to maintain the same level [IMAGO/ANP]](https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/9e0f8dabd7fca3728f96426fa67ee7d68f06e955dc2307029b60a59df157b939/lightyear_networkapi/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Froundtable_sports_psv_eindhoven_320%2Fb257389f07f76d38125f6cbdd2cdb7b4.jpg)
Mijnans felt PSV had started the contest well but struggled to maintain the same level [IMAGO/ANP]
Mijnans was equally frustrated after failing to convert PSV's most promising opening of the second half. The midfielder, making his Champions League starting debut as a makeshift striker, recognised that he should have done better when the opportunity arrived.
The chance followed a cutback from Ruben van Bommel, but Mijnans could not direct his effort on target.
"I knew Ruben was going to lay the ball back. I see too many people standing in goal. I wanted to push it into the net too hard and too eagerly. But a ball like that obviously has to be between the posts," Mijnans acknowledged.
The missed opportunity was particularly painful given the limited number of clear chances available in a Champions League fixture.
"That makes it extra bitter. In the Champions League, you get few chances. You have to convert them," he said.
Mijnans felt PSV had started the contest well but struggled to maintain the same level after the opening half-hour.
"We started well in the first 30 or 35 minutes. In the second half, we dropped into a low block too much, and then a long-range shot flies in again."
For PSV, the defeat highlighted the fine margins that can decide Champions League matches. Their opening spell offered encouragement, but Perišić's penalty miss, Mijnans' missed chance and the defensive lapse that led to Gruda's winner ultimately proved decisive.
With only one point from their first two league-phase matches, Bosz's side will need to turn their promising periods into tangible results as their European campaign continues.
