CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | PSV-BARCELONA
Van Bommel: "Barça are already through, maybe they'll relax"
PSV Eindhoven's coach, a former Barcelona player, feels his PSV deserve to be higher in their group but the objective is to remain in European competition.
PSV Eindhoven coach Mark van Bommel is looking forward to taking on his old club Barcelona tomorrow night. While his PSV side, who occupy bottom place in Group B look destined to bow out of the competition, he hopes they can give their fans something to cheer by gaining a result at Philips Stadion.
Barça have several players out injured. Does that make the job of preparing your team more difficult as you don't know which players Valverde will field?
Injuries are never good news. Others players will come in and do the job of those who are unavailable to play.
Top versus bottom
What are you expecting from the visitors?
Barça are already through and that's the most important thing. Maybe they'll relax, but I'm sure they'll go out to win.
Do you get the feeling that PSV have less to show for the kind of football the team has been producing?
That's correct, we could have been on more points - especially after the Inter game because there was a key moment when their keeper should have been sent off; those are the small details that can decide a game. For me, our first half performances against Inter and Barça were the best we've played.
Dutch influence
How do you see the relationship between Barça and PSV?
A lot of players have played for both clubs, Barça play attractive football and oplay to win, the orange shirt says it all.
Vidal took up your position at Bayern, what do you think he brings to Barça?
We play in the same position, he's competitive and he's good in the air. It's importante to have a player like him in the side.
What are your thoughts on the recent Football Leaks claims about Ramos?
We've got a game tomorrow. If you want to talk politics, go to The Hague.
Great memories of Munich
You have been linked to the Bayern job...
That must mean we are doing something right and that makes me happy - also, I played in Germany and it's a place I like very much.
Not continuing in Europe would be a big letdown?
We would miss it if we are knocked out but we want to qualify for the Europa League. The Inter game was key to where we are now. In Europe, you need to defend more than we do in Holland.
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