Champions League | League Stage

Nov 5, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Philips Stadion

PSV vs Girona

Match preview

PSV have had a great start to their Eredivisie title defence, winning 10 games in a row before losing at the weekend. They're still looking for their first win in this season's Champions League.

PSV had a rough start to their Champions League campaign, losing 3-1 to Juventus. They bounced back with two 1-1 draws, first at home against Sporting Lisbon and then away against Paris Saint-Germain.

In their last game, they took the lead in Paris thanks to Noa Lang's goal in the first half. However, after facing a lot of pressure, they had to settle for a point.

PSV will be looking to move into the top 24 and secure a playoff spot with a win at the fourth attempt when they return to the Philips Stadion. PSV's only success in their last 12 Champions League home matches was against Lens last term. They've drawn four of the last five.

They haven't been at their best in Europe, but they've been on a roll at home since last season, when they finished with a record-breaking 91 points and won the title.

Peter Bosz's team beat Ajax's previous record of 89 points, but it was still Ajax who came out on top in Saturday's De Topper, winning 3-2 at Johan Cruijff Arena.

Even so, they still top the table, having scored 37 goals and conceded nine. PSV's only other league loss in 61 matches was to Ajax. In that time, they've scored 190 goals, with a goal in every game.

While their hosts are no strangers to UEFA competition and were even crowned European champions in 1988, Girona are newcomers to Europe this season, following their remarkable rise from obscurity.

After conceding a 90th-minute own goal to lose 1-0 in Paris on their continental debut, the Catalan club then lost 3-2 at home to PSV's Dutch rivals Feyenoord. They did, however, go on to taste success against Slovan Bratislava.

Wing-back Miguel Gutiérrez was the standout player in the 2-0 home win. He scored the opening goal and created more chances, completed more dribbles and won more duels than anyone else.

Head coach Michel may be new to the elite level, but last term he led Girona to their highest league placing ever in only their fourth La Liga season. They're improving after a slower start to the current campaign.

After losing a few key players in the summer, they only won two of their first 10 games across all competitions. But on Saturday they beat Leganés 4-3 – with Gutierrez scoring the first goal again – which was their fourth win in six.

Recent Performance

PSV Eindhoven Champions League form:LDD

PSV Eindhoven form (all competitions):DWWDWL

Girona Champions League form:LLW

Girona form (all competitions):LWLWWW

Team News

PSV have a few key players out of action ahead of Tuesday's game. Along with Netherlands internationals Jerdy Schouten (hamstring) and Joey Veerman (groin), Hirving Lozano (muscular) is also out for the hosts.

Sergino Dest is also out with a bad knee injury, but Ivan Perisic passed his fitness test and scored the second goal against Ajax.

Johan Bakayoko is also in the running, but Perisic could well support Luuk de Jong in the final third. The latter won 14 of his 15 aerial duels against PSG and is sure to pose a threat to Girona's defence.

On the other side, the visitors were happy to have Oriol Romeu back from a thigh injury last week. The former Barcelona midfielder could start in Eindhoven.

Alejandro Frances and Arnaut Danjuma are both doubtful due to hamstring issues, and Michel's list of absentees is already pretty long.

There are a lot of players out of action at the moment. The list includes Cristian Portu (ankle), Viktor Tsygankov (hamstring), Yaser Asprilla (ankle), Jhon Solis (muscular), Abel Ruiz (thigh), Ivan Martin (adductor) and goalkeeper Pau Lopez (hand).

Possible starting lineups

PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Karsdorp, Flamingo, Boscagli, Dams; Tillman, Saibari; Perisic, Til, Lang; De Jong

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Juanpe, D. Lopez, Krejci; Martinez, Herrera, Romeu, Gutierrez; Van de Beek, Gil; Miovski