PSV seems to face a physical battle with AS Monaco on Tuesday evening during the return in the third preliminary round of the Champions League. It will be hit or miss for Ruud van Nistelrooij’s team, after a draw (1-1) in the first game of the diptych. The dangers for PSV are the tactical flexibility and the fitness of Monaco.
“Monaco looks very fit and that can sometimes be a threat to PSV, which did not look fit in the last twenty minutes of the previous game,” says Dutch journalist Jurriaan van Wessem, who lives in Monaco, to NU.nl. “The fitness is the credit of trainer Philippe Clement, who went to training camp with his players a week earlier than usual.”
According to Van Wessem, this good preparation has ensured that the Monegasques, partly thanks to a strong reserve bench, have a team that can go for it until the last second.
“Substitute Krépin Diatta looks increasingly fit after a long injury and Sofiane Diop, Breel Embolo and Gelson Martins can also make the difference if they get playing minutes,” he says.
“And the difference with last week is that Caio Henrique can play again. That is a better left back than Ismail Jakobs (who made a big mistake last week, ed.).”
Krépin Diatta in duel with Érick Gutiérrez during the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Krépin Diatta in duel with Érick Gutiérrez during the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Photo: Getty Images
‘There may be panic at PSV’
In addition to the physical strength, Van Wessem also warns about Monaco’s tactical ability. “The expectation is that they will play in a 4-3-2-1 formation, with Wissam Ben Yedder as a deep striker. Without substitutions, they can switch to a 3-5-2 formation. panic arises at PSV.”
In that respect, according to Van Wessem, PSV player Ibrahim Sangaré has an important role to play. “That is a player who can make it difficult for Clement’s team with his qualities in midfield.” Sangaré signed a brand new contract with PSV on Sunday until mid-2027, after he was associated with several Premier League clubs.
“Monaco is still very strong in the counter, but is also increasingly taking the initiative,” said Van Wessem. The team drew confidence from the won competition match against Strasbourg (2-1) last weekend. “Psychologically, this victory is very important for Monaco, because Strasbourg is a fear gegner for them.”
Ibrahim Sangaré in midfield duel with Monaco players Eliot Matazo and Wissam Ben Yedder.
Ibrahim Sangaré in midfield duel with Monaco players Eliot Matazo and Wissam Ben Yedder. Photo: AP
Final phase is Monaco’s weak point
Because away goals no longer count double, there is an extension in the Philips Stadium in the event of a tie. There seems to be a curse on AS Monaco’s final stages. “The final phase remains difficult for Monaco, as has been shown in several matches in the past,” Van Wessem notes.
Although AS Monaco can dominate a match, Clement never takes many risks. “He closes the case when his team has scored, just like in the game against Strasbourg. This can ensure that things can go wrong for the Belgian coach’s team in the last phase.”
Last year, AS Monaco failed to reach the group stage of the Champions League due to an own goal in extra time against Shakhtar Donetsk (2-2). And after nine wins in a row, AS Monaco appeared to secure second place in Ligue 1 last season, and with that direct qualification for the Champions League. On the final day of the French league, the Monegasque gave up the win against RC Lens in the 96th minute, again a loss in the final stage of a match.
Philippe Clement during the first game of the diptych in Stade Louis II (1-1).
Philippe Clement during the first game of the diptych in Stade Louis II (1-1). Photo: AFP
“There is a kind of mistrust among the fans of Monaco”
At AS Monaco, a lot depends on Tuesday evening’s game, Van Wessem emphasizes. “Monaco has 130 million euros in cash by selling Aurélien Tchouaméni to Real Madrid, among others, but has still not attracted a successor.”
According to Van Wessem, there is a kind of distrust among the fans. “They ask themselves: are you keeping the money or are you going to do something with it? The stadium has been half empty for a long time and there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the Russian owner.” So far, only Takumi Minamino (15 million euros) and Embolo (12.5 million euros) have been made as summer signings.
Becoming champion in the French league does not seem an option for the club due to the superiority of Paris Saint-Germain. “A second place would mean a championship in disguise for Clement’s team, which now has the time to shape the team,” says Van Wessem.
Important PSV players are fit
At AS Monaco, central defender Benoît Badiashile and Myron Boadu are missing on Tuesday evening. Both players are not fit due to a foot injury.
Van Nistelrooij will not have access to Noni Madueke, Olivier Boscagli, Carlos Vinícius, Mauro Júnior and Yorbe Vertessen on Tuesday evening. Furthermore, according to the PSV coach, the team is in good shape. “Monaco was especially stronger in the last fifteen minutes last week. Now there should be no reason to be less than Monaco at the end of the race.”
The match between PSV and Monaco starts on Tuesday evening at 8.30 pm. If the Eindhoven players are then eliminated, the team is in any case assured of a place in the group stage of the Europa League. If PSV eliminates the French team, then a diptych with Rangers FC or Union Sint-Gillis in the play-offs awaits.