Simons dreams of happy ending

PSV Eindhoven captain Timmy Simons realises three points against FC Internazionale Milano on Wednesday might not be enough to take them to the last 16.

'No regrets'
Even a victory over Roberto Mancini's side, already assured of first place in Group G, might not suffice for the Dutch champions as Fenerbahçe SK will claim the runners-up spot should they beat PFC CSKA Moskva in Istanbul – regardless of the outcome in Eindhoven. "Of course we have to consider the possibility that we won't go through, because to a certain extent it is out of our hands," said Simons. "But we still have to give ourselves a chance by winning. That way we will have no regrets."

'Element of luck'
A measure of Simons' worth is that PSV have never failed to qualify from the group stage since he joined the club in summer 2005 from Club Brugge KV. However, he concedes that his lucky streak may be at an end after an extremely tough campaign, saying: "It's difficult every time. Sometimes ten points is enough but this time it may not be. So there's always an element of luck. We'll see on Wednesday whether it's on our side."

Home defeat
PSV will be hoping for a more convincing home performance than last Friday's, when they were comprehensively outplayed in a 4-2 Eredivisie defeat by Roda JC. "We've had two training sessions since the Roda game, and that has helped us put it behind us and sharpen things up," said Simons, who celebrated his 31st birthday on 11 December. "I think we also learned a valuable lesson – you have to concentrate at all times during a match and make sure you're properly organised."

'Highest level'
With third position in Group G, and a parachute into the UEFA Cup Round of 32, secure at least, PSV are safe in the knowledge they will be chasing European silverware in the new year. But Simons, recently restored to first-team action after a back injury, dismisses suggestions the UEFA Cup would be a more suitable arena in which to bring on PSV's talented young players. The Belgian international said: "You always want to compete at the highest level, and that means the Champions League. While it's still possible to qualify, that's all we're thinking about."