As Milan and Arsenal get ready to take on PSV Eindhoven and Fenerbahce respectively in the first legs of the final playoff games for the right to play in the group stages of the Champions League, it would not be wrong if fans of both Milan and Arsenal would not be feeling completely confident.
A new Dutch order in the Eredivisie
The game between PSV and Milan at the Philips Stadion is indeed going to be the pick of Tuesday’s Champions League playoff games. Although Milan are being considered favourites to qualify for the group stages, one should not take the current PSV side lightly at all.
For the past few seasons, it was Ajax Amsterdam dominating Dutch football. However, the last Eredivisie campaign was a sign of how differently things could turn out to be. With former player and legend Philip Cocu in the dugout, PSV have made a spectacular start to the new season. With already five games played (three league games), Cocu’s young charges have conceded just twice and have maintain a 100% win record.
In contrast, Milan have not played a single competitive game this season and that could prove to be a decisive factor tonight.
One thing that could play to the Lombardy club’s advantage is that teenage winger, Zakaria Bakkali might not play any part in tonight’s encounter for the home side. The youngster has been struggling with a groin injury.
However, Milan manager Max Allegri also has his own problems with injuries. Full back, Mattia De Scigliio and Robinho have been left out of the squad which means a lot will fall down on Phlippe Mexes in defence and on Mario Balotelli to lead from the front. The Italy international has just returned from injury and might be a little rusty.
The current PSV side is oozing with talent at the moment with the likes of Georgino Wijnaldum, Jetro Willems, Memphis Depay and Adem Maher coming in and replacing the likes of Kevin Strootman and co.
Fenerbahce playing for justice and honour
With expulsion from the UEFA Champions League looming over their head, Turkish giants, Fenerbahce have more to play for. Many Arsenal fans must be scratching their heads and wondering why this team has been allowed to compete after it was UEFA which gave them a two-year ban for match fixing. The answer to that is that it is out of UEFA’s hands and that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended the ban pending an appeal.
Quite naturally, the Istanbul giants know that although they do not have their fate in their own hands, they still have a lot to play for which goes beyond sporting reasons. Moreover, the Turks have the motivation and the quality which will make life even more miserable for Arsenal than it already is.
The Gunners lost 3-1 at home to Aston Villa in the opening day of the season with injuries piling up and no new faces expected at the Emirates now is probably the best time to play Arsenal.
Very slowly but surely, Fenerbache have become one of the elite sides in Europe and possess a very strong squad. In the shape of Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves, Moussa Sow and Emannuele Eminke, the Turks have a strong squad that will take the game to the Gunners who know that defeat is not an option any more.
