All or nothing for PSV

By Manfred Christoph

Resurgent BV Borussia Dortmund will be overwhelming favourites to put further distance between themselves and PSV Eindhoven when they meet in UEFA Champions League Group A at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday.

Unbeaten domestically
The German champions remain the only unbeaten club in the 1. Bundesliga following a home stalemate against DSC Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday, but Dortmund, save for the opening 2-0 loss to Arsenal, have reserved their most cohesive displays for Europe as they attempt to advance from the opening group stage for the first time in three attempts.

'Play to our potential'
A 3-1 victory in Eindhoven in their most recent European outing went a long way towards moving Matthias Sammer's side towards that goal. In fact, qualification will be achieved if Dortmund beat PSV and AJ Auxerre fail to win at Highbury. "Dortmund should not care about other sides," said Sammer. "We have to play to our potential and not waste too many thoughts on PSV."

Home record
History favours the home side: Dortmund have only lost one of 15 Champions League games at the Westfalenstadion since October 1996, winning eleven, while PSV have triumphed in just three of 19 matches away from the Philips stadium. Statistics, though, are of no concern to Sammer. "We don't think of these situations ahead of a match," he said. "We have to eliminate their [PSV's] strengths and take advantage of their weaknesses."

Critical situation
Dortmund's victory in Eindhoven was their second in succession in Group A following a 2-1 home defeat of Auxerre. For PSV the situation is critical following Dortmund's smash-and-grab raid and the 4-0 thumping by Arsenal, the section leaders. PSV must go for broke as a draw would not be enough to progress.

Metzelder blow
PSV's cause has been aided by an injury to Christoph Metzelder, the Dortmund defender breaking his nose at the weekend. Ahmed Madouni should step in for Metzelder alongside Christian Wörns, while Sebastian Kehl is also set to return after missing the Bielefeld match.

'Outstanding personality'
PSV coach Guus Hiddink, described as an "outstanding personality" by Sammer, has the luxury of a full squad to select from, with André Ooijer again in contention after missing the 0-0 weekend draw with Roda JC. Two players who limped out of that game, Wilfred Bouma and Arjen Robben, have also overcome minor blows.

'Huge consequences'
Hiddink has urged his players to "seize the opportunity" and capitalise on a "theoretical chance of reaching the second round". He added: "We have slipped to two disappointing defeats where small mistakes have resulted in huge consequences. In Germany we will see if we have learned anything. We know what our goal is and we will keep on trying to reach it."