PSV Eindhoven continue their Champions League campaign with a trip to Russia and a clash with Rostov. 

psv-roda-knvb-cPSV’s chances of qualifying from the group took a major dent two weeks ago when they were defeated 1-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Philips Stadion. The Eredivisie champions cannot afford another slip-up and head to Russia, needing to record a victory over Rostov.

However, that will not be simple with Rostov already showing their strength against Dutch opposition this season after they knocked out Ajax in the play-offs for the Champions League. The Russians drew 1-1 in Amsterdam before hammering Peter Bosz’s side 4-1 in Rostov. Ivan Daniliants side proved no match for Bayern Munich in the first group game though, with the Bavarians running out 5-0 winners.

PSV warmed up for the game with a 4-1 win over Excelsior, while Rostov ended a run of three straight defeats with a 1-0 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.

Team news

Phillip Cocu will be without midfielder Bart Ramselaar who injured his thigh in training earlier this week, but Manchester City loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko is in the squad and could make his debut. Cocu adopted a 5-3-2 formation for the tie with Atletico two weeks ago but with a win needed should return to the usual 4-3-3.

Possible PSV line-up: Zoet, Brenet, Willems, Moreno, Isimat, Hendrix, Guardado, Propper, Narsingh, Pereiro, De Jong

Rostov use either a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 formation, with Daniliants using the latter in their 4-1 win over Ajax earlier this season. Kudryashov missed the tie with Bayern after being red carded against Ajax, but should return to the starting line-up.

Possible Rostov line-up: Dzhanaev, Kalachev, Kudryashov, Cesar Navas, Mevelja, Granat, Noboa, Gatcan, Erokhin, Poloz, Azmoun

PSV in Russia

PSV have met Russians sides in Europe frequently over the past few years. Last season they met CSKA Moscow in the group stages of the Champions league, losing 3-2 in Russia before winning 2-1 at home. The year before, Zenit st Petersburg knocked Cocu’s side out of the Europa League, 4-0 on aggregate and earlier in the same competition they also lost home and away to Dinamo Moscow.

PSV have actually never won a European tie in Russia.

Odds

Rostov: 21/10 Draw: 23/10 PSV: 6/4

Can PSV do it?

With Bayern Munich and Atletico in the group it is likely that the two ties between PSV and Rostov will determine who finishes third in the group and drops into the Europa League. PSV will go into the game as favourites and if they can supply Luuk de Jong with plenty of ammunition then he should be able to expose Rostov’s aerial deficiency, just like Bayern Munich did two weeks ago.

Rostov like to play on the counter and as long as PSV stay strong at the back they should have the opportunity to finally find their first win in Russia, one which would put them right back into the group.




admin (14220 Posts)

Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter