Confident PSV look to push on

By Jules Marshall in Eindhoven

Having belatedly reached the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds after so many attempts, PSV Eindhoven are determined to continue their run against AS Monaco FC - and perhaps avenge a defeat suffered last time the visitors came to town.

Different challenge
The French side won 2-1 last season in the Philips stadium, and headed for the final, while PSV exited at the group stage for the seventh successive year. However, Guus Hiddink's team finally broke their hoodoo this time around, and the coach believes Monaco now present a different sort of challenge.

'More direct'
"Last year Monaco had a very creative side," said Hiddink, whose charges face a team that has lost Fernando Morientes, Ludovic Giuly, Jérôme Rothen and Dado Pršo since last season. "This year the team is different - not worse, but stronger, more direct and playing less complicated football."

Close encounter
Hiddink admits that both PSV and Monaco are dark horses in the last 16, saying: "Realistically our match is not one of the 'finals' of this round; this is not Chelsea [FC] versus [FC] Barcelona. I'm sure Monaco would be happy with a 0-0 draw, but not us. However, both sides defend very well, so I do not anticipate a lot of goals."

Still ambitious
He continued: "Just to be in the Champions League eight times in a row was good, but we are hungry to join the élite of Europe. We need to lay a foundation for the next leg at home, but it will be an even game and I would not be surprised if either team won."

Domestic run
PSV were running away with the Dutch title until the middle of December, keeping 12 consecutive clean sheets. Although they then suffered a stutter before the winter break, they are now back on form and, having drawn 0-0 at nearest challengers AZ Alkmaar a week ago, are now two points clear.

New signing
John de Jong has overcome a twisted ankle while centre-forward Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is back in form, scoring seven goals in his last four outings. PSV also signed a new Brazilian striker in January, 23-year-old Robert from Club Atlas, for whom he registered 33 times in 43 matches and won the Mexican Player of the Year award.

Monaco denied
Meanwhile, Monaco have overcome a difficult start as their new-look squad gelled, and are now unbeaten in ten Ligue 1 games, having only been denied victory against leaders Olympique Lyonnais on Friday by a last-gasp equaliser.

Rodrigues looks ahead
"It was disappointing to draw, but we have put it behind us for tomorrow," said Monaco defender Julien Rodriguez on Monday. "Whatever happened last year against PSV, we are not favourites. It is just another game, 50-50; no favourites."

Good omens
Last year's Champions League finalists have never lost to Dutch opponents and are playing in the knockout phase for the fourth time in their last five attempts. Ten matches unbeaten in France, and having qualified from such a tough pool, coach Didier Deschamps is quietly optimistic.

'Learned a lot'
"Confidence and serenity are important, but domestic and Champions League games are very different contexts. It will be a difficult match," he said. Asked to compare this with last year's team, he replied: "Monaco have a style of playing and more or less the same team as last year, and we have learned a lot since then."