The welcome was befitting as warm sunshine greeted FC Bayern as they arrived in the so-called City of Light on Monday afternoon. As they trained for a final time, Bayern got an impression of how the Phillips Stadion in Eindhoven will look under the floodlights. On Tuesday evening (kick-off 20:45 CET, follow the match via our Live Ticker), FCB will look to light up the stadium themselves against PSV.
“We absolutely want to win the game,” said Mats Hummels ahead of the Champions League group game, which could secure Bayern’s progress to the last 16 with a win. If Rostov fail to win at Atlético Madrid, second place is guaranteed. However, the ultimate objective remains to win the group. “As long as it’s possible, we want to finish first,” said Philipp Lahm. But the captain knows, “we have to take care of ourselves first, and that begins with Eindhoven.”
“… then it’ll be a tough game”
The record champions know that it will not be an easy task at PSV. “Eindhoven are always dangerous,” warned Hummels, who does not believe the 4-1 win against the Dutch side two weeks ago has any bearing on the second meeting. The defender knows about the unique atmosphere at the 35,000-capacity Phillips Stadion. “If we allow it, PSV can get the entire stadium roaring them on. Then it’ll be a tough task,” believes Hummels. “We can silence the stands with a convincing and dominant game.”
“The atmosphere is nice, especially in the Champions League,” confirmed former PSV man Arjen Robben. “It’s something special for Eindhoven to play a great side like Bayern Munich.” The good atmosphere could propel the home side, warned Thomas Müller, and make them “more confident at home. It will not be easy but we are back on the up after recent games, and we want to stay like that.”
Eindhoven with new keeper
“We’ve been good since the game at Frankfurt,” said Carlo Ancelotti in praise of his team. “Quality, intensity, team spirit – we need all of those tomorrow. It will be a tough game.” Apart from Javi Martinez and Franck Ribery, the Italian has a full squad available to him for this tie. Ancelotti will pick his “best team” to face PSV. The coach kept his cards close to his chest, but he did reveal that the recently returned Holger Badstuber would not start. The tactical side would remain unchanged.
Ancelotti expects PSV to be more attacking than last time in Munich. “They will attack more,” believes the coach. Eindhoven currently have only one point in the group and must best Bayern (6 points) to have any chance of qualifying for the last 16. PSV coach Phillip Cocu believes his side is capable of winning, “but we have to work well together as a team to stop Bayern.” He will be without injured keeper Jeroen Zoet tomorrow and will hand a Champions League debut to Remko Pasveer.
"Best to score early"
How should Bayern best approach a side with their backs to the wall? “The best way is to start like we have in recent games and score early,” said Lahm. Arjen Robben demands: “We have to go all out at the start to avoid problems.” Ancelotti has promised that, “we will not change our way of playing.” Should Bayern secure their third win of the group stage, they will leave Eindhoven the same way the City of Light welcomed them: beaming.
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