“We have a lot to gain and little to lose.” This is how Girona faces – in the words of Míchel Sánchez – the match against PSV (6:45 p.m.). They do so with the aim of achieving their third victory in less than a week: they beat Extremadura in the Copa del Rey (0-4) and Leganés in the League (4-3). If they achieved it, it would be the first time this season in which Montilivi’s men would have three consecutive wins. After beating Slovan Bratislava, adding another three points would allow Míchel’s team to consolidate a comfortable position in the table.
The Girona team, which occupies the last position (24th) that gives access to the play-offs for the round of 16, will face a PSV more in need of points. The Dutch have not yet won the Champions League this season and are twenty-eighth with two points – they lost to Juventus and tied with Sporting de Portugal and PSG.
Peter Bosz’s men come into the match with a setback: they lost on Saturday against Ajax in the Eredivisie. However, of the eleven rounds played, PSV has won the rest of the games and leads the Dutch league. Added to this is that they haven’t lost in their stadium for two years.
In the press conference prior to the match, the Girona coach pointed out that a win would allow them to take a “giant step” to continue in the Champions League. Although he stressed that he does not make numbers to qualify, he did point out that with eight or nine points it could be achieved. Therefore, winning in Eindhoven would give them “peace of mind” considering that they have games against Liverpool, Milan and Arsenal left.
Only 14 first team players travel to Eindhoven
Girona still has several injured players: Asprilla, Danjuma, Francés, Iván Martín, Misehouy, Portu, Abel Ruiz, Solís and Tsygankov
To stand up to this away game, the Madrid coach pointed out that they will try to “impose the pace of the game” and make PSV “run backwards.”
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Míchel’s team still has several injured players –Yáser Asprilla, Arnaut Danjuma, Alejandro Francés, Iván Martín, Gabriel Misehouy, Portu, Abel Ruiz, Jhon Solís and Viktor Tsygankov–, so only 14 first team players have traveled. The one from Vallecas admitted that they do not arrive with maximum energy, but was optimistic: “We are in a process of growth and improvement so that this year we can be just as recognizable as last season.”
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