PSV set sights on Monaco

With the UEFA Champions League set to resume after its winter break, uefa.com looks at the form of the 16 clubs involved in first-leg ties this week.

PSV Eindhoven v AS Monaco FC
The year 2004 ended on a low note for PSV who threw away top spot in Group E by losing their final match at Panathinaikos FC. Guus Hiddink's side then relinquished their lead in the Eredivisie by drawing with Feyenoord and losing to Roda JC. But PSV have returned from the winter break a rejuvenated side. Big wins against NAC Breda (4-0), RKC Waalwijk (4-1) and RBC Roosendaal (4-1) propelled them back to the top and they consolidated their Eredivisie lead by drawing 0-0 at second-placed AZ Alkmaar last week.

On Saturday they resumed their goal spree, winning 4-1 away to NEC Nijmegen. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored PSV's third, his seventh Eredivisie goal since the resumption of league action, as PSV opened a four-point lead, but victory was marred by injury to Johann Vogel who limped out with a hip problem after 27 minutes. John de Jong was unavailable because of a twisted ankle, but should return against Monaco. Brazilian striker Robert, from Mexican side Club Atlas, was PSV's main signing of the winter break, while a number of players have left the club on loan, including striker Johan Vonlanthen.

Registered players: Robert, Eric Addo, Tom Muijters.
Players out: Jurgen Colin, Arvid Smit, Jasar Takak.

Monaco are only just showing signs of slowing up after a period of blistering form since they defeated RC Deportivo La Coruña 5-0 in their last Champions League outing. Sixth in Ligue 1 at that stage, Monaco won their way back into title contention through January, and were within a whisker of beating leaders Olympique Lyonnais on Friday, before being pegged back to 1-1. That left them nine points behind the champions, but Didier Deschamps's men have a game in hand and are a different proposition to the side that went nine games without victory earlier in the season.

After beating SC Bastia and drawing with FC Girondins de Bordeaux at the end of 2004, Monaco began 2005 with four straight victories over FC Istres, SM Caen, RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain FC. The turnaround in the club's fortunes coincided with Deschamps abandoning his four-pronged attack and reverting to 4-4-2, but just as Monaco seemed set to emerge as championship contenders, they laboured to a goalless draw away to FC Nantes Atlantique and crucially let Lyon off the ropes. On the transfer front, they have been quiet, announcing only that forward Shabani Nonda will leave in the summer.

Registered players: None
Players out: Jimmy Juan