After the handsome victory over Ajax in the match for the Johan Cruijff Scale, PSV opens the hunt for a coveted ticket for the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday evening during the away match against AS Monaco. Trainer Ruud van Nistelrooij is looking forward to meeting France’s number 3 last season. ,,But I also think that we could not have drawn a heavier opponent,’ he said. “We have to work hard.”
PSV last played in the group stage of the Champions League four years ago. In recent years, Ajax has always been active in the lucrative royal class of European club football. Partly due to the income from the Champions League, the club from the capital now has much more to spend than its competitor from Eindhoven.
Participation in the Champions League is quickly good for 40 million euros. That amount can add up quickly. Ajax stranded in the eighth finals last season, but still had more than 70 million euros left over from eight matches at the highest European level. Lisandro Martínez would also never have left for Manchester United for a maximum of 67 million euros if he had not played well for Ajax in the Champions League.
The new coach Van Nistelrooij wants nothing more than to reach the group stage of the Champions League with PSV. A good result in two meetings with AS Monaco is not enough for that. The winner of the diptych qualifies for the play-offs for a ticket for the main draw of the Champions League.
Saturday’s victory over Ajax in Amsterdam (5-3) has been good for the self-confidence of the PSV players. ,,I think Saturday’s result will do something for our team. The confidence of the team grows after such a game, and you take that with you.” Yet Van Nistelrooij is also critical of his team. “Three goals against is actually too many,” he said.
AS Monaco coach Philippe Clement has taken a good look at PSV’s match against Ajax. “Scoring five times in Amsterdam is very clever”, said the trainer, who also has access to former AZ player Myron Boadu. ,,We already knew that PSV has a very strong team. But we also want to go to the group stage of the Champions League. And of course we see opportunities.”
Clement doesn’t know yet if he can line up his best defender Benoît Badiashile and attacker Sofiane Diop. ,,I hope so, but we have to see how they react to our last training before the game against PSV.”
Rik Elfrink
@RikElfrink
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