PSV repeat own trick after nine lean years – Voetbal International

When PSV Tuesday in house beats CSKA Moscow is the first Dutch club in nine years that reached the knock-out phase of the Champions League. The last time this happened was in 2006. And when PSV were the lucky ones.

On the eve of the Champions League season PSV in 2006, classified in Group C of the miljoenenbal, along with Liverpool, Girondins Bordeaux and Galatasaray. An at first glance tough draw. But PSV have a lightning start. During the first round of play is Liverpool held at the Philips Stadium on 0-0, followed by victories against Bordeaux (0-1) and Galatasaray (1-2 and 2-0). After four games the men of coach Ronald Koeman ten points and are therefore assured of a place in the next round.

During the last two matches PSV late however rein. At Anfield Liverpool win on the penultimate matchday with a 2-0 in Eindhoven is also Bordeaux, which finished third in the group, too strong. The French won 3-1. This causes PSV three points behind group winners Liverpool, as number two to the knock-out phase. Here it is linked to another English powerhouse Arsenal. PSV go to a good start and win in house nip 1-0. After an hour of play draws the Ecuadorian Edison Mendez for the only goal.

But in London threatens to still go wrong for PSV. Brazilian defender Alex outwitted in the 58th minute his own goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes countryman, and thus for the 1-0 draw with Arsenal. This goal is long standing, which is threatening an extension. But the central defender makes his mistake five minutes from time personally good header PSV leveled and thereby to the quarterfinals. Here it must again cross swords with Liverpool, it turns twice strong. In Eindhoven, the 0-3, 1-0 at Anfield. PSV stranded, Liverpool finally gets to the final. Despite a goal from Dirk Kuyt is AC Milan herein 2-1 too strong.

The Brazilian central defender is the underdog and hero of PSV visiting Arsenal. With a header, he makes his own goal, which makes the Eindhoven team reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

During the seasons that follow, are the Dutch Champions League participants still deficient. As PSV in 2007, four points less than second Fenerbahçe (seven to eleven) and finishes third in Group G. Internazionale win the group with fifteen points. A year later, ending the Eindhoven even in last place in Group D with just three points. Olympique Marseille are third with four points and flows through to the Europa League, Atletico Madrid (eleven points) and Liverpool (fourteen points) penetrate into the knock-out phase of the miljoenenbal.

In 2009 the turn of AZ to surpass the Champions League two meager years of PSV. But the Alkmaar can not achieve that. After winning the Dutch title in 2008/09, the Alkmaar in the top club tournament in Europe are not convincing. With four points are AZ last in Group G. Standard Liege ends with a point more in the third. Olympiakos Piraeus (ten points) and Arsenal (thirteen points) continue. And the year after that Netherlands with two participants even of the party in the knock-out phase. Champion FC Twente and Ajax finish second both third in their group.

Nacer Chadli takes in 2010 with FC Twente in the Champions League including on against Tottenham Hotspur. Three years later relocated to the Belgian winger to the club.

The following years it has become increasingly turn to Ajax to defend our national pride in the highest European club competition. But every time things go wrong. In 2011, the Amsterdammers are closest to the next round. But because Dinamo Zagreb, partly due to the negative contribution of its own Wink-Croat Domagoj Vida, in-house 7-1 loss at Olympique Lyon, the French go on goal difference from Ajax and must make do with a place in the Europa League. There is a scent strength of match fixing around the match in Zagreb, especially because defender Vida has winked at Lyon striker Bafétimbi Gomis after one of its six goals in the second half. However, the evidence is never delivered. In the three years following, Ajax ends invariably in third.

On PSV now the task to break the Dutch silence in the knock-out phase of the Champions League. PSV are currently in third place in Group B with seven points. Number two Manchester United has only one point ahead, koploperVfL Wolfsburg two. Those teams will play Tuesday night in Germany against each other, leaving PSV with a win against last placed CSKA Moscow certainly has a place in the next round. This means there would be after nine lean years finally be an end to the slump in the Dutch miljoenenbal. (Daniel Vervelde)