Ruud van Nistelrooij will probably choose to start with André Ramalho on Tuesday evening against AS Monaco. In the presumed arrangement of the Eindhovens Dagblad for the first leg in the third Champions League preliminary round, the recently returned Brazilian forms the defensive center along with Armando Obispo. Jordan Teze moves on to right back position, sending Ki-Jana Hoever to the bench. For the rest, the same names as last Saturday against Ajax are expected.
During the won duel for the Johan Cruijff Scale (3-5) Van Nistelrooij was able to use Ramalho for the first time, who had been sidelined for a long time due to an ankle injury. The stopper then started on the bench and came in after more than an hour of play for the disappointing Hoever. On Tuesday, the roles may have been reversed. In addition to Teze, Ramalho and Obispo, Philipp Max will complete the Eindhoven defense. Walter Benitez is under the bar.
PSV will hope that Guus Til will get it on his hips, just like last Saturday. The summer signing made a dream debut for his new club by producing a hat-trick. Til forms a midfield with Ibrahim Sangaré and Joey Veerman, which means that Marco van Ginkel and Érick Gutiérrez, among others, have to settle for a place on the bench.
Despite Ismael Saibari’s strong substitution, Johan Bakayoko seems to be preferred as a replacement for the long-term injured Noni Madueke. The Belgian is flanked by captain Luuk de Jong and Cody Gakpo. Due to the absence of both Carlos Vinícius and Sávio, Van Nistelrooij is still limited in his attacking options. Xavi Simons and Richard Ledezma – originally midfielders – are therefore considered serious opportunities for the front three, just like Saibari.
The Monegasques lack Myron Boadu anyway. The Dutchman is struggling with a foot injury and is therefore not part of Philippe Clement’s match selection. PSV seems to fear Wissam Ben Yedder the most. The French goal-getter was good for no fewer than 25 goals in 37 Ligue 1 matches last season. According to L’Equipe Ben Yedder forms a striker couple with Takumi Minamino, who was recently taken over from Liverpool. The duel in the Stade Louis II starts at 8 p.m.
Probable line-up AS Monaco (according to L’Equipe): Nubel; Aguilar, Disasi, Maripan, Vanderson; Golovin, Caio Henrique, Fofana, Matazo; Ben Yedder, Minamino
Probable PSV line-up: Benitez; Teze, Ramalho, Obispo, Max; Sangare, Til, Veerman; Bakayoko, De Jong, Gakpo