Hiddink rules out fear factor

By Kevin Ashby in Eindhoven

PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink believes it would be senseless for his side to play "fearful football" in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Olympique Lyonnais after calling on their reserves of energy and endeavour to draw 1-1 at the Stade Gerland last week.

Clean sheet
All the talk was of Lyon prior to that gripping first leg, with Paul Le Guen's side having plundered 27 goals in eight European games. Yet Hiddink had done his homework and it was the Dutch challengers who wrested the initiative when Phillip Cocu cancelled out Florent Malouda's opener, meaning a clean sheet on Wednesday will see PSV through to a likely semi-final against AC Milan.

'Pressure on'
Hiddink, however, insists his team will not attempt to nullify their opponents, saying: "We're not going to play football with our backs against the wall. That's not our game and will not be our strategy. If we can score it will take the strain off our defence but we will not panic. Lyon have to score so the pressure is on them. They also see themselves as outsiders to win the competition which brings even more pressure."

'Team spirit'
If PSV feel any pressure they are not showing it. Open training on Tuesday morning was conducted with all the intensity of a schoolyard kick-about. "One of this team's strong points is that in the dressing room, in training or on the pitch everyone respects everyone else," said Hiddink. "The team has a common desire to perform which is beneficial to team spirit and results."

Treble chance
Results have certainly been impressive, with PSV extending their Eredivisie lead to 13 points by defeating FC Den Bosch on Saturday despite resting Ji-Sung Park, André Ooijer and Johann Vogel, who will all return against Lyon. They will also meet Feyenoord in the Dutch Cup semi-finals and are eyeing a treble - including the European Champion Clubs' Cup - last achieved in 1988 in Hiddink's first tenure.

Benfica beaten
The similarities between this campaign and that are striking, not least the occasionally prosaic football and the 1-1 quarter-final first-leg draw in France, against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. PSV went on to defeat SL Benfica in the final and a second crown remains in sight. Lyon have no such pedigree, yet are desperate to join the continental élite having won the last three French titles and being on the brink of a fourth.

'Positive effect'
Pierre-Alain Frau scored twice in a 2-2 weekend draw at FC Nantes Atlantique that moved Lyon 14 points clear in Ligue 1 but will drop to the bench along with five others as Le Guen recalls his star players for what should be an intense tie at a sold-out Philips Stadion. "Resting players has had a positive effect," said the coach. "The players feel good and are really up for the game."

PSV Patience
Unlike Hiddink, Le Guen feels the pressure is on the hosts, saying: "For PSV it is a difficult situation: they have to decide whether to defend their advantage or attack. We know what we have to do; be compact, patient and attack intelligently. It would be foolish to expose ourselves early on; we saw last week that PSV have the ability to punish any openings."

Mental strength
Both teams have the ability to win, which is why this match is so intriguing. Both coaches spoke of their opponents' physical power, yet it is mental strength that is likely to decide who progresses, and who ponders what might have been.