PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov – Tuesday 19:45 GMT/20:45 CET at Philips Stadion, Eindhoven.
PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov will take place at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven – Image by StadiumDB CC-BY-SA-2.0
In Group D of the UEFA Champions League all the attention will be on the clash of giants between Bayern München and Atlético Madrid. On paper, Bayern are the stronger side, and many see them as the heavy favourite at home. In reality, the Bavarians have nothing but pride on the line, and it’s unlikely that either team will overwork its key players or risk any yellow card suspensions.
In light of this it might very well be worth to tune into the other match of the Group, as PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov will be a real battle over, who will finish third in the group stage.
Rostov were the Cinderella story of last season’s Russian Football Premier League, as the club came within one goal to win the championship in Russia. This cinderalla story has been carried over in the Champions League, as Rostov have recently shocked the football world when they defeated Bayern München on matchday 5 in what has been described, as the “miracle on the Don.”
The result have now opened the door for Rostov to carry on their story in the UEFA Europa League in the spring, as the Russian’s are currently three points ahead PSV Eindhoven in third place. Eindhoven, however, managed a 2-2 tie on matchday 2 in the UEFA Champions League, which would mean that a victory would see the Dutchmen advance rather than the Russians.
Rostov therefore must play for at least a draw to go through. Rostov recently rested several players in their midweek fixture against FC Ural, and are once again expected to sit out some key players during the weekend in order to have fresh legs against Rostov on Tuesday.
In fact Rostov seems to throw all their eggs into the Europa League basket, as continued participation in Europe would guarantee much needed cash flow. In fact Rostov currently sit sixth in the Russian Football Premier League, and are still within reach to reach a Europa League qualification spot in the spring. Fresh cash would therefore allow to somewhat retool the side, which could be motivation enough for Rostov to get the needed result in the Netherlands.
PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov – Players to look out for:
All the talk lately has been on Rostov’s two forwards Sardar Azmoun, and Dmitry Poloz. Yet there are plenty of unsung heroes in FC Rostov’s side, and as Andrew Flint rightfully pointed out in the Futbolgrad Podcast defender Vladimir Granat has been a key part of Rostov’s defensive play since joining the club from Spartak Moscow in August. The 29-year-old Granat will have to be at the top of his game if Rostov want to gain the necessary result to advance to the round of 32 of the Europa League. The player to watch for PSV Eindhoven will be Oleksandr Zinchenko. Zinchenko made a high profile move to Manchester City this summer from FC Ufa, but was loaned out to Eindhoven to gain much needed playing time.
PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov – Match Facts
- As an FC Barcelona player, Cocu beat FC Lokomotiv Moscow 3-1 and 1-0 during the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League first round.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko scored his first senior goal for FC Ufa in a 2-1 home defeat against FC Rostov in July 2015.
- Rostov have already avoided defeat once this season in the Netherlands having held Ajax Amsterdam to a 1-1 tie in at the Amsterdam Arena.
- PSV’s overall home record against Russian opposition is W3 D0 L2.
Futbolgrad’s Prediction: PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov 1-1
PSV Eindhoven vs Rostov – Possible Line-ups
PSV Eindhoven:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Zoet – Moreno, Isimat-Mirin, Schwaab, Arias – Ramselaar, de Jong, Pröpper – Zinchenko, de Jong, Pereiro
Manager: Philip Cocu
Rostov:
Formation: 3-5-2
Dzhanaev – Gueye, Granat, Navas – Kalachev, Kudryashov – Erokhin, Gatcan Noboa – Azmoun, Poloz
Manager: Ivan Daniliant
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