PSV told to keep heads against Spurs
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Article summary
PSV Eindhoven lead 1-0 going into the second leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie against Tottenham Hotspur FC but they are taking nothing for granted.
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No complacency
Jefferson Farfán's first-half goal at White Hart Lane gave PSV the advantage over their fellow former UEFA Cup winners – especially when you consider they have never lost a two-legged European encounter after an away victory. Nonetheless, coach Sef Vergoossen is guarding against complacency. "Our only advantage is, because we only need a draw, we are not forced to take risks. But we must not start off thinking a draw will be enough and only focus on that."
Options
Midfielder Ibrahim Afellay, who missed training with a back problem on Monday but returned to the fray on Tuesday, said: "There are no guarantees but I should be able to play." With no other fitness worries, Vergoossen can either restore Otman Bakkal, Balázs Dzsudzsák and Danko Lazović, whom he left on the bench for the first time last week, or stick with Jason Culina, Danny Koevermans and Edison Méndez. "I see it more as a luxury than a problem," the coach said. PSV's weekend home game against AFC Ajax was called off because of a police strike, but Wednesday's sell-out is not in doubt.
Morale boost
Tottenham boosted their morale with Sunday's 4-0 Premier League thrashing of West Ham United FC and are further lifted by the news that midfielder Jermaine Jenas is fit after suffering an ankle injury during the first leg. Defender Jonathan Woodgate also travels despite a foot problem. However, Younes Kaboul and Ricardo Rocha are out with their respective knee and groin complaints, joining long-term absentees Gareth Bale, Benoît Assou-Ekotto and the ineligible Alan Hutton on the sidelines.
'Like a final'
Tottenham assistant manager Gustavo Poyet is motivating his squad by reminding them of last month's English League Cup final triumph over Chelsea FC. "We have no excuses going into this game," he said. "We have to treat it like a final because we need to win, simple as that. It doesn't matter how we do it – it's exactly the same as the League Cup and I think that will make it easy for the players to get motivated. It's a massive game for the club, but let's hope there will be many more important games after this."