What: Champions League Playoff Round
Who: AC Milan (1) vs PSV Eindhoven (1) – first leg scores in brackets
When: Wednesday 28th August, 2013, at 19:45 UK Time
Where: Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, Milan, Italy
The Pharaoh Is Back
Despite not being as fit as PSV Eindhoven, who started their season three weeks earlier, at the Philips Stadion, AC Milan suffered the dynamism and speed of the Dutchmen only in the first half. By a strange quirk of fate, the Rossoneri took the lead at the worst time and, just when it seemed they then had PSV by the throat, conceded an unexpected equaliser. The goal came via a blunder from custodian Christian Abbiati, whose saves in the first half had been vital to keeping Milan on track.
While coach Massimilano Allegri is still working to give his team a strong tactical identity, good news came from starlet Stephan El Shaarawy, who scored his first goal since February. After an outstanding first half of the season last term, the talented Italian striker suffered a slump. “I had no doubt he would get back to his best”, said Allegri. “Everything went too fast last season; at the age of 20 it is impossible to perform for a whole season in the way Stephan did in the first months.”
The good partnership (also off the pitch) between El Shaarawy and Mario Balotelli has delighted Allegri. The coach however has to face two big problems: first, the poor physical condition of playmaker Riccardo Montolivo, who is the only player in midfield who has the vision to dictate the game; and secondly, the left-back role, in which Urby Emanuelson and Kevin Constant, two midfielders by trade, cannot offer a defensive guarantee.
Young and Proud
Against Milan, PSV found themselves one goal down for the first time in the season. That was the moment many were waiting for in order to see how mentally strong Phillip Cocu’s youngsters are. The jury is still out. PSV couldn’t dictate the game as was expected and in the second half it was Milan who came closer to victory, with good chances for Balotelli and Andrea Poli. However, on the other hand, the Dutchman enjoyed a good impact on the biggest stage of all and showed no feart against their more experienced opponents.
Only three PSV players on the pitch last week had Champions League experience – Stijn Schaars, Jeffrey Bruma and Park Ji-Sung; the South Korean represented 87% of the total experience in Europe’s biggest competition for PSV. Milan’s starting eleven by contrast had collected 290 appearances, a statistic which helps explain why Cocu said he was “satisfied and proud” of his players after the match.
To return from Italy with a spot in the Champions League group stage, PSV need all their talents to perform at their best. At the Philips Stadion, Adam Maher played well, but Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay were below par. Defensive pair Karim Rekik and Jeffrey Bruma also failed to shine. The return of Belgian sensation Zakaria Bakkali on the right flank, with Park on the left, will improve Cocu’s options up front.
Recent form
AC Milan:
AC Milan 11–0 Derthona (17/08; Friendly)
PSV Eindhoven 1-1 AC Milan (20/08; Champions League)
Hellas Verona 2–1 AC Milan (24/08; Serie A)
PSV Eindhoven:
PSV Eindhoven 3–0 Go Ahead Eagles (17/08; Eredivisie)
PSV Eindhoven 1-1 AC Milan (20/08; Champions League)
Heracles Almelo 1–1 PSV Eindhoven (24/08; Eredivisie)
Players to watch
AC Milan – Mario Balotelli: Balotelli is the fulcrum around which Milan are looking to build a competitive team. When he moved from Manchester City in January, it was assumed he would put El Shaarawy in the shade. However, time has proven that to be wrong. El Shaawary’s slump had nothing to do with Balotelli, who has shown he is not only a great goalscorer but, when necessary, can help out his team-mate.
PSV Eindhoven – Zakaria Bakkali: The 17-year-old right-winger has taken Eindhoven by storm due to an outstanding start to the season. With four goals in the first two Eredivisie games (a hat-trick against NEC made him the youngest player ever to score three goals in one Dutch top flight game) and one in Champions League qualifying, Bakkali has turned out to be a sensation. Cocu has praised him for his attitude “even in his defensive duties” and Belgium coach Marc Wilmots called him into the Red Devils squad for the friendly against France.
Match Prediction
For the glory – but also for the money; it is estimated this match will be worth €30m to the winner, taking into account all the income gained. It is a sum both PSV and Milan need, even if the Dutch side’s global vision is more focused on the future. Milan meanwhile want the cash to invest in new players, as PSV continue developing theirs. Most of the pressure will be on the Rossoneri and Milan do have history on their side, as in the three previous Champions League games played at the San Siro, PSV have failed to score a goal. This game is a 50-50 clash – but look for Cocu’s men to prevail.
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