|
Stevens: "I think Atletico and Liverpool
are equal."
Peter van Duyl
AD
Tuesday 16 September 2008
With a twinkle in his eyes and
a smile around his lips Ibrahim Afellay listens to the
question whether he knows how many players in the squad
have more Champions League experience than he has.
"I haven't a clue. But I'm
sure you'll be able to find out," he answered.
The remarkable reality is that
he is one of the most refined PSV-players when it comes
to Europe.
In the team that takes on Atletico
Madrid tonight only Timmy Simons (36) and Jérémie
Bréchet (25) have more CL matches to their names.
Afellay's counter is at 16 at the
moment.
That experienced combined with
four league titles is paying off at the moment.
The league is only two games old,
but the midfielder has been Man of the Season so far.
After two magnificent matches and
three goals is well on the way of fulfilling promises.
"Ah well, for me little has
changed. Perhaps I draw a bit more attention now that
I've scored a few goals. And of course you get stronger
with each game you play. My body is benefiting from
that."
Tonight he'll try to take it to
yet another level in his development.
He never scored in the Champions
League, but the time seems right for it now.
But it will be a testing much for
him and his team against one of the Spanish giants.
The renovated Dutch champions had
a good start to the season, but where they really stand
is hard to say, Afellay thinks.
"We only just got underway.
Perhaps in a few weeks we know more. It's too early
to call this game an exam."
Afellay is not alone in that opinion
To Dutch standards PSV have done
exceptionally well in Europe over the past few years,
but in Eindhoven they refuse to be put under pressure.
"PSV have been doing well
for years. But is that supposed to make me nervous now?"
coach Huub Stevens wonders.
"We are working with a young
squad and we want to go forward. These lads must learn
from games like these, and they should try and enjoy
it. The game against Atletico is not an exam for me.
Perhaps a moment to scale things a bit, but that goes
for every game."
Tonight's game will be first time
the tactical wit of the coaching staff will be put to
the test.
Guus Hiddink and perhaps even Ronald
Koeman were masters at unriddling an opponent.
Both financially and on pure quality
PSV are less than Atletico, so an intelligent plan is
expected of Huub Stevens.
The coach knows full well that
it will be tough tonight.
"Directly after the draw I
said that Liverpool are favorites. Now that I've seen
Atletico I want to take that back. I think Atletico
and Liverpool are equal."
With what intentions Madrid will
come to Eindoven is a question for Stevens as well.
The club of Dutch defender John
Heitinga can play many different styles.
Stevens: "They can play very
organized and quick on the turn over. But they can also
pressurize an opponent. They are a team with a lot of
stamina."
And perhaps it's where PSV have
a chance.
Assistant coach Dwight Lodeweges
watch Madrid play Valladolid on Saturday.
And although Madrid lost 2-1, Lodeweges
was impressed: "They have a lot of runners in the
team. But when you play with a lot of movement it sometimes
happens you are a bit thin at the back."
It's also because of that PSV will
not hide from the expectations.
As the front strip of Dutch football
PSV should get a result tonight and maintain a good
prospect of the next round.
"It's always a challenge to
match yourself with another team. We must get out there
without fear. Also against Atletico we will try to be
dominant through stretches of the game. You can not
do that for 90 minutes, but at times you can. The ambition
is still to make it into the next round."
|
