The Europa League group stage ends on Thursday with PSV Eindhoven playing host to Russian side Dinamo Moscow.
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PSV have already qualified for the knock-out stages after a 2-2 draw with Estoril in the last round of matches, while Dinamo Moscow have also sealed progression and top spot in the group.
The game may appear to be a dead rubber, but with UEFA Coefficient points and prize money to play for, PSV coach Phillip Cocu is determined to beat the Russian side.
Cocu told a press conference, “We feel there is still plenty to play for. A fair amount of money is at stake and we can earn points for the UEFA coefficient ranking, which makes it an important game for us.”
“You always take the positive things from a victory into the next match. There will be a large turnout so we will do our utmost to produce an attractive performance.”
PSV face a grueling schedule of fixtures, with the Eindhoven side set to play four fixtures within ten days, and Cocu indicated that he may hand a rest to some players, “We will select the same players but may hand a start to some fringe players.”
Since losing 1-0 to Dinamo Moscow in Russia, PSV have gone on a 11 match unbeaten run and lead Ajax by one point in the Eredivisie standings with a game in hand. Dinamo Moscow are also on an impressive run, winning six of their last seven games, and they warmed up for PSV by hammering Amkar Perm 5-0 to move 3rd in the Russian Premier League.
Possible PSV line up: Pasveer, Brenet, Willems, Rekik, Bruma, Hendrix, Maher, Wijnaldum, Depay, Jozefzoon, De Jong
Dinamo Moscow will bring a number of familiar faces to the Philips Stadion with right back Stanislav Manolev and winger Balasz Dzsudzsak set to return to their former club, while Dutchmen Alexander Buttner, and Douglas could feature.
PSV have done well so far in the competition and they will be looking to gain revenge for the defeat to Dinamo earlier in the competition, but for the club the two upcoming fixtures against Twente and Feyenoord are much more important and that may play into the Russian side’s hands. Dinamo come to Eindhoven with great players such as Mathieu Valbuena and Kevin Kuranyi and they could prove too strong for a rotated PSV.
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