PSV face a crucial game against AS Monaco tonight. After the 1-1 draw in Monte Carlo, PSV will host the return of the third preliminary round of the Champions League tonight. Rik Elfrink and Chris Ottens from the Eindhovens Dagblad looked ahead to the match and felt the ‘high voltage’ around the Philips Stadium.
One of the big issues that PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooij has to deal with is Xavi Simons. The midfielder started last Sunday against FC Emmen (4-1 victory) in the base and, in addition to his assist with Johan Bakayoko’s 1-0, also left a good impression in general. “I thought Simons stood out,” says PSV watcher Elfrink. “I enjoyed that. That was a boy who I thought would add something especially to the ball. In the game in the half of the opponent, especially, where he has to bring the creativity. But what he also has is a certain kind of sharpness, fierceness, which made him dangerous even with that first goal.”
Chris Ottens thinks Simons is more explosive, faster and more agile in confined spaces than Til. Still, Elfrink thinks that Simons will not start in the base. “I have the feeling that Guus Til will start in the base, but you can see that Simons can do more than just create something in the opponent’s half. In home games in which you are the parent, such as against Emmen, RKC and NEC, I would rather choose Simons. Then I think you need him. He has every opportunity to release someone and create something. He seems to me the most offensive pawn in midfield. Ibrahim Sangaré is undisputed for me and Joey Veerman now too, but Erick Gutiérrez can still intervene.”
Cody Gakpo is also mentioned. The Eindhovener has been associated with a departure to the Premier League for some time, but is still a PSV player. The question is whether the winger still is after the transfer market has closed. Elfrink: “I think it depends on which club goes through. Arsenal would be a top club for him, also because of the perspective there. If I were Gakpo I wouldn’t leave PSV for a club at the bottom of the Premier League. What I can imagine is that the Champions League plays a major role. There is still a hurdle after that, but PSV must first win against Monaco.” If PSV manages to eliminate Monaco, it will meet the Scottish Rangers FC of coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst or the Belgian Union Saint-Gilloise in the play-offs, which won the first game 2-0.
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