PSV boss Cocu in awe of Simeone's Atlético
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Article summary
PSV coach Phillip Cocu said "keeping a clean sheet could be very important" as his team take on an Atlético side who bear the hallmark of their coach Diego Simeone.
Article top media content
Article body
- Phillip Cocu says a clean sheet is a priority for PSV
- Cocu on Atleti: "They are a nice example of everybody playing for each other"
- Andrés Guardado passed fit after shaking off a hamstring injury
- Diego Simeone warns that: "PSV can hurt us"
Possible lineups
PSV: Zoet; Arias, Bruma, Moreno, Willems; Van Ginkel, Guardado, Pröpper; Pereiro, Locadia, Narsingh.
Out: De Jong (suspended)
Doubtful: Lestienne (calf)
Misses next match if booked: Bruma, Guardado
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luís; Koke, Gabi, Saúl Ñíguez, Óliver Torres; Griezmann, Fernando Torres.
Out: Carrasco (ankle), Partey (hamstring), Tiago (leg)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Óliver Torres
Phillip Cocu, PSV coach
Simeone is bringing success back to Atlético. You can see his character as a player reflected in his team – I applaud that. They have a clear style of play. Would I settle for a 0-0 draw? Keeping a clean sheet could be very important.
Atlético have a consistent side, they're a great team unit, they won't give anything away. They always play the same way – they are winners and they play a compact game despite a busy fixture list. They are a nice example of everybody playing for each other and for the team. You have to be prepared and give your all every time.
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
The team are in good shape at the minute. We have won some and we also got a draw [at the weekend]; now we have a busy period of matches against different opponents. PSV are very strong opponents, they're dangerous in attack, they can hurt us. They can score from different situations – set pieces, individual actions, team play. We are looking forward to this fixture.
PSV are a very good side, only Ajax can keep up with them [in the Netherlands]. This is a different competition and it will be an intense game played at high speed – the players will have to show plenty of energy. Our aim is to take control of this and to control the match.
The Champions League does not involve as many games [as the league] to win a trophy, but they're very difficult matches. We believe in taking it step by step, from game to game. I ask that of my players. You cannot think of the title. First, we want to win here.
Weekend results
PSV Eindhoven 2-0 Heracles (Pröpper 3, Pereiro 45pen)
PSV maintained their one-point advantage over Ajax at the top of the Eredivisie with a professional showing against fifth-placed Heracles. Davy Pröpper's calm outside-of-the-foot finish put the hosts into an early lead and Gastón Pereiro rubber-stamped an eighth successive league win.
Atlético Madrid0-0 Villarreal
Atlético were frustrated on Sunday, held to only their second goalless draw in the Liga this term. Antoine Griezmann headed narrowly wide and Alphonse Aréola came to Villarreal's rescue after the interval to deny Ángel Correa, the visitors keeping a fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
PSV: WWWLWW
Atlético: DWWLLD
Reporter's view: Derek Brookman (@UEFAcomDerekB)
This match is the talk of the town, with spare tickets rarer than hen's teeth. PSV are in good shape, and Cocu described Saturday's first-half performance against Heracles as "the best this season". Optimism in Eindhoven is tempered by the knowledge that Atlético are talented, well-organised opponents who will be extremely difficult to break down.
Did you know?
In the 2008/09 group stage, Atlético won 3-0 in Eindhoven, with Sergio Agüero scoring twice, and 2-1 at home. Find out more in our match background.