Bréchet feels a positive PSV will prosper

PSV Eindhoven defender Jérémie Bréchet believes his team must focus on the positives against Olympique de Marseille in Wednesday's crucial Group D encounter.

'Dangerous going forward'
"Marseille have been playing very well recently," said the 29-year-old, who captained FC Sochaux-Montbéliard before transferring to the Netherlands in the summer. "They have very talented players who are comfortable on the ball and dangerous going forward. Like us they have no points after two games, so will also be very keen to win. It will be difficult for us."

Upbeat
With point-less PSV struggling to meet their high standards on the domestic front – where they lie fourth in the table – as well as in Europe, you could be forgiven for thinking the Dutch champions will approach Matchday 3 with trepidation. However, Bréchet, whose 27 UEFA Champions League appearances during the five seasons he spent at Olympique Lyonnais make him PSV's second-most experienced player in the competition behind captain Timmy Simons, remains upbeat. "It's true we have had problems in some games this season, but on other occasions we have shown we can play well. We have to concentrate on our own strengths and not think too much about the opposition."

Afellay threat
Indeed, Bréchet reckons PSV have a potential match-winner in attacking midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who has scored five Eredivisie goals this term for Huub Stevens's side and is pushing for a starting berth in the Netherlands team. "He is very intelligent for one so young, and rarely gives the ball away," he said. "He's also very quick and direct when going forward." However, the former FC Internazionale Milano and Real Sociedad de Fútbol centre-back also recognises similar traits in a member of the opposition. "He is in many ways comparable to [Hatem] Ben Arfa," added Bréchet, referring to Marseille's attack-minded 21-year-old who joined OM from Lyon during the close season.

Different style
Bréchet, the first Frenchman to play for PSV, acknowledges that the style of football is different from in his homeland. "The Dutch game is less physical, and the players are technically very accomplished. It's also much quicker." He hopes these qualities, combined with the right attitude, will pay dividends against his compatriots from Marseille. "We are at home," the No13 said, "and we know we are capable of playing good possession football. We have to believe we can win."