Simons still fired up for Bordeaux

Influential figure
The Belgian international is not one of the more flamboyant figures in the current PSV lineup, but he is certainly one of the most influential. Simons has not been substituted once this season, featuring in every single minute of PSV's five UEFA Champions League matches and 15 league games so far.

Eager to play
With typical understatement, the 29-year-old puts his achievement down to "a fairly good physical condition and a bit of luck". But having contributed so much already, doesn't he think it's time for a rest? "Not at all," he said. "As a player you always want to play. I don't like missing any of the action."

'Prestige at stake'
It is this hunger which has helped Simons stay sharp for the Group C visit of third-placed Bordeaux. "We may have qualified already, but it is still the UEFA Champions League," he insisted. "There is a lot of prestige at stake for the players and the club and obviously we want to entertain our supporters."

Defensive cover
At PSV Simons plays just in front of the back four, providing protection for an extremely robust defence which not conceded in seven Eredivisie matches. However, he has also chipped in with some crucial goals - his glancing header was the only goal of the game against AFC Ajax in Amsterdam last month, and Simons also broke the deadlock when the Dutch champions defeated Galatasaray SK 2-0 on Matchday 4 to secure their progress to the Round of 16.

Fond memories
The former Club Brugge KV stalwart has fond memories of the last time he played against Bordeaux, a 1-0 win in France on 27 September. "After dropping points at home to Liverpool [FC] in our opening game, it was very important to take something from our visit to Bordeaux," he recalled. "Coming away with three points was great and really set us up for qualification."