What: Champions League Playoff Round

Who: PSV Eindhoven vs AC Milan

When: Tuesday 20th August, 2013, at 19:45 UK Time

Where: Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Changing Times

PSV Eindhoven have not won the Dutch title since 2008 – and on 9th December of that year, played in their last Champions League game, a 3-1 home defeat against Liverpool. Until last season, PSV were Holland’s biggest spending club. This strategy though led to nothing more than a pair of Dutch Cups and considerable losses. Moreover, unlike their biggest rivals Ajax, Feyenoord or Twente, the Philips-backed club have lacked a productive youth academy.

When, last January, talented youngster Riechedly Bazoer swapped PSV’s academy for Ajax’s, looking for “more guarantees for the development of my career”, it was clear that something had to change for the Eindhoven side. The appointment of Phillip Cocu as coach was the first step. It had been the same story at Ajax, who four years ago chose Frank de Boer, a man, like Cocu, with limited coaching experience, but for whom the club is like a second home.

The PSV revolution began in the transfer market and went onto the pitch. Four regulars were sold (Kevin Strootman, Dries Mertens, Jeremaine Lens and Erik Pieters) and four veterans were released (Orlando Engelaar, Wilfried Bouma, Atouba Hutchinson and the retired Mark van Bommel). Cocu switched his predecessor’s 4-2-3-1 system into a 4-3-3 and showed no fear in playing, against NEC, one of the youngest starting elevens (20.42 years on average) in Eredivisie history. For the game against Milan however, Cocu can also count on the experience of Dutch international Stijn Schaars and former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung, although the pair are still working hard to bring their fitness up to speed.

Stopping The Decline

In recent years, Milan have ended their big name transfer policy that brought success and trophies, both at national and continental level. The Rossoneri’s owner Silvio Berlusconi has faced a whole host of troubles, not least the Italian Supreme Court ordering his firm Fininvest to pay more than €500m in damages over the acquisition of publishing company Mondadori 20 years ago. This has led the Italian giants to change their strategy and pay more attention to developing their own talents.

Milan have completed the mass clear-out of big name players, started in the summer of 2012, by releasing captain Massimo Ambrosini, who alongside goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, was the last survivor of the 2003 and 2007 crops that won the Champions League. The ‘if nobody leaves then nobody arrives’ philosophy has so far brought few new signings, with central midfielder Andrea Poli and number 10 Riccardo Saponara (who shone last season with Empoli in Serie B) amongst the most impressive.

Despite his difficult relationship with Berlusconi, coach Massimilano Allegri is still in charge, trying to get the maximum from a squad that lacks balance. While up front Milan can display a top quality attacking line, with Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy and M’Baye Niang (with Robinho as a super-sub), at the back, the likes of Philippe Mexes, Cristian Zapata, Matias Silvestre and Kevin Constant cannot offer the same guarantees of class. In midfield meanwhile, the return of Nigel de Jong from injury is vital.





Recent form

PSV Eindhoven:

Zulte Waregem 0–3 PSV Eindhoven (07/08; Champions League)

PSV Eindhoven 5-0 NEC Nijmegen (10/08; Eredivisie)

PSV Eindhoven 3–0 Go Ahead Eagles (17/08; Eredivisie)

AC Milan:

Chelsea 2–0 AC Milan (05/08; Friendly)

AC Milan 2-0 Los Angeles Galaxy (08/08; Friendly)

AC Milan 11–0 Derthona (17/08; Friendly)

Players to watch

PSV Eindhoven – Adam Maher: The talented midfielder finally got his wish this summer, with a move from AZ Alkmaar to one of Holland’s biggest clubs in PSV. Now Maher has the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of all – and against a side that were regularly linked with making their own attempt to sign him.

AC Milan – Andrea Petagna: Born in 1995, the striker has had a superb pre-season, impressing both due to his character and cold-blooded composure in front of goal. Allegri is “deeply satisfied” with Petanga and the youngster, who won the Under-15 Italian title in 2010 and the Under-17 edition one year later, will have a real chance to break into the first team. With Giampaolo Pazzini suffering injury and Balotelli being less than 100 per cent, Petanga may get his opportunity. Physically strong and with a powerful left foot, the striker has earned comparisons with Christian Vieri, even if Filippo Inzaghi is his inspiration.

Match Prediction

Phillip Cocu and Park Ji-Sung are looking for revenge. Both were on the pitch, and hit the target, in the 2004/05 Champions League semi-final against Milan in Eindhoven. The Italian side had won 2-0 at the San Siro, but were 2-0 down in Holland with just minutes to play, before Ambrosini headed the goal which took Milan to the final – Cocu’s goal to make it 3-1 later was futile.

“We had the game in our hands”, remembers Cocu, “and there would have been no match in extra-time because Milan were on their knees. That goal was one of the most painful moments in my sporting career. We could have won the Champions League, because we weren’t worse than Liverpool.” Things are now very different though and a Champions League semi-final looks an impossible dream for both teams.

PSV started their season at the beginning of August and have so far played five official games, while Milan have not got started. Given their better physical condition, the Dutch will try to dictate the game from the first minute. Milan will be cautious however, waiting for the right chance. This match looks like a 60-40 clash in favour of PSV, who should win 2-1.

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