Monday, July 18, 2022 at 4:27 PM• Wessel Antes • Last update: 17:59

Ruud van Nistelrooij knows after Monday afternoon that his team will have to work hard in the third preliminary round of the Champions League. PSV was linked to AS Monaco during the draw. The head coach of the Eindhoven team thinks that PSV has hit the hardest possible draw, but also responds with a positive note via the official channels because the return is in Eindhoven.

“Obviously this was the toughest team in the draw. But this is what it is. We’re going to prepare for it. Monaco is a good team, playing in the top of France. They have good, technically skilled, strong and athletic players,” said Van Nistelrooij. PSV could also have drawn lots against Union Saint-Gilloise, Sturm Graz, FC Midtjylland and AEK Larnaca in this preliminary round.

Still, Van Nistelrooij sees a clear advantage in the diptych. “I think it’s an advantage that you can close at home. You have to be top by getting a good result. And then the decision at home. This is certainly an advantage with our audience. These kinds of matches, against such an appealing opponent, you only feel like.” PSV will play the away match in Monaco on Tuesday 2 August. The return in Eindhoven follows a week later on August 9. The exact times are currently unknown.

On Tuesday evening, PSV will play a practice match against FC Eindhoven at 8 p.m. An exhibition game against Real Betis is scheduled for next Saturday at 6 p.m. A week later, the people of Eindhoven play the match for the Johan Cruijff Scale at Ajax. After that, the focus will be entirely on the diptych with Monaco. The French saw a great player leave with the departure of Aurélien Tchouaméni to Real Madrid, but still have a strong selection with names such as Wissam Ben Yedder, Aleksandr Golovin and Benoît Badiashile.