Netherlands legend Johan Cruyff says PSV
must avoid a physical battle at all costs if they are to stand a chance
in their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid.
Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven have reached the Champions League knock-out stage for the first time in eight years, where they’ll meet one of Europe’s strongest teams, 2014 finalists Atletico Madrid. PSV haven’t won in 13 previous games in Spain, though their home form is much better against Spanish sides – and they won all three home games against Manchester United, Wolfsburg and CSKA Moscow to reach the knock-out stage.
Atletico have lost all four two-legged ties they’ve contested with Dutch sides, including the 1971 European Cup semi-final to Ajax, but Diego Simeone’s side are favourites against Philip Cocu’s team.
Atletico have a superb defence and have only conceded five goals away in La Liga all season, two of them at Camp Nou.
“They are a true unit, defensively extremely solid,” said Cocu of his opponents. “They give few chances away and are physically strong. It is a very tough draw, but at the same time a fantastic challenge again.
The pair have met only once before, in the 2008/09 Champions League group game when Atletico won 3-0 in Eindhoven, with Sergio Aguero scoring twice, and then 2-1 at home.
Cocu knows Spanish football well from his time at Barca. He played more games for the Catalan club than any other foreigner until Lionel Messi took over. Cocu and his players would like to appear on the biggest stages in England and Spain permanently. This is a shop window for them.
Like when the last time the pair met, Atletico to go through. They may struggle to win a packed and noisy PSV Stadion in the first leg, but they’re far better resourced, with better players and more Champions League know-how than the Dutch side.
Atletico don’t score many goals (they have half Real Madrid’s league total) but they win matches.
PSV were pleased to be in the Champions League and delighted to progress from the group stage. They’ve won one of their last 16 games against Spanish opponents, losing seven and drawing eight. More of the same.
