PSV Eindhoven and Rangers go into the Champions League playoff second leg tied 2-2. A place in the Champions League group stage is on the line at the Philipps Stadion on Wednesday night.
Rangers reached the group stage of the tournament last season. There, they endured a hellish campaign in a group with Ajax, Liverpool, and Napoli.
Press conference incoming 🎙️#PSVRAN #UCL— PSV (@PSV) August 29, 2023
Press conference incoming 🎙️#PSVRAN #UCL
Manager Michael Beale is hoping the team can reach the group stage once more, they must go to Eindhoven and win to advance.
PSV Eindhoven came from behind twice at Ibrox to draw 2-2 with Rangers in the first leg. Rangers took a first-half lead thanks to Abdallah Sima.
PSV’s Ibrahima Sangare levelled the score just after the hour-mark, but Rangers once again took the lead thanks to a Rabbi Matondo goal.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Luuk de Jong scored an equaliser for PSV Eindhoven. The second leg will be a winner-take-all fixture.
PSV Eindhoven dominated much of the first leg, tallying 19 shots to Rangers’ 11. But the Dutch team only had five shots on target, the same number as Rangers.
The Lightbulbs had 70% possession, as Rangers played on the counter-attack for much of the match.
PSV manager Peter Bosz has injuries in defence. Centre-back Armando Obispo is a doubt with a knee injury. Left-back Marou Junior is also nursing a knee injury and may not play.
Making Bosz’s selection in defence worse could be the absences of backup left-backs Patrick van Aanholt and Fredrik Oppegard. Both players are doubts to make the team.
PSV Eindhoven did not play in the Eredivisie at the weekend. The team had the round off, giving them a chance to prepare for the second leg with Rangers.
Rangers were in action over the weekend, defeating Ross County 2-0 away from home. Kemar Roofe and James Tavernier scored in the first half to give Rangers the win.
Central midfielder Steven Davies is the only player currently listed as injured for Beale. He isn’t expected back until late October following an ACL injury.
Beale utilises a 4-3-1-2 formation. He started Sima and former Feyenoord striker Cyril Dessers in attack in the first leg. Todd Cantwell was used as a playmaker behind the two forwards. Beale should once again use the same formation and tactics.
Bosz will stick with an attacking 4-3-3 formation, with De Jong playing as a central striker. Noa Lang, signed from Club Brugge to replace Xavi Simons, is in excellent form and will start on the left.
Although the first leg was high-scoring and PSV came from behind twice, the Dutch team should benefit from playing at home, winning 1-0.