Their most recent European success was reaching the semi-finals in the 2004–05 Champions League, which PSV lost against Milan on away goals.
This first season, however, was very unsuccessful for PSV, in which they lost the first leg against Rapid Wien 6–1, with Peter Fransen scoring the first European goal for the club.
The same player scored in the return, where PSV won 1–0 against the Viennese club, but it was far not enough to progress to the second round.
In the 1963–64 season PSV participated in the European Cup for the second time, making it to the quarter-finals where they lost to FC Zürich.
PSV participated in the UEFA Cup for the first time in 1971 against East German side Hallescher FC.
Ten years after the success of winning the UEFA Cup, PSV achieved another memorable performance.
In the 1987–88 European Cup, manager Guus Hiddink created a team that beat Galatasaray, Rapid Wien and Bordeaux on away goals.
[5] Fortunately, PSV goalkeeper Hans van Breukelen was one of the most talented 'keepers in the Netherlands, stopping the crucial penalty from Benfica's António Veloso.
The squad is still loved by fans and most important players were captain Eric Gerets, Ronald Koeman, Wim Kieft, Gerald Vanenburg, Jan Heintze and Søren Lerby.
PSV, with captain Mark van Bommel, Philip Cocu, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Wilfred Bouma, Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel, Brazilians Heurelho Gomes and Alex, Jefferson Farfán and Koreans Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, progressed to the semi-finals after defeating Lyon on penalties.
[7] In the return leg in Eindhoven, PSV played one of its best ever matches, taking a 2–0 lead only for Massimo Ambrosini to score a fatal away goal for Milan.