UCL: PSV Eindhoven v CSKA Moscow: Preview

19:45 UK PSV Eindhoven - CSKA Moscow

PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman knows his team will have to work hard to break down a CSKA Moscow defensive wall on Wednesday in the Champions League.

The Dutch and Russian champions face off in a Group G game and Koeman is adamant his team must dominate the match as they regularly do in the Eredivisie.

Koeman said: ``We need balance as we do in the Dutch League. Sometimes we play excellently and create chances while in other aspects we give away too much space. Against teams like CSKA Moscow with five defenders this is fatal.''

Even though PSV have been regulars in the Champions League it is the first time they have played a Russian club.

Captain Timmy Simons said: ``Our goal is to go into the next round but we don't know a lot about them. But one thing is clear - you need at least one point if you are playing at home.''

Koeman must do without the suspended Mike Zonneveld and the injured Ottman Bakkal, who has a knee problem.

CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Veniamin Mandrykin looks set to make his Champions League group stage debut.

The 26-year-old custodian, signed from Alania Vladikavkaz in 2001, has acted mainly as understudy to first-choice Igor Akinfeev during his spell at the club, and has appeared in just one of the 40 European matches in that time.

But with Akinfeev still recovering from cruciate knee ligament damage that has kept him out of action since May, the patient Mandrykin finally looks set to make his long-awaited debut on Europe's biggest stage.

He told Russian paper Sport Express: ``I remember how much was said back in spring when Akinfeev got injured. I hadn't played in the Russian league for three years.

``But each time I answered that, of course, it would be better to be playing regularly, but it's not the main thing.

``Naturally if I'd played more often in European competition, it would be better, but on the whole it doesn't matter too much.''

Despite his lack of experience in the Champions' League, he admits he won't be overcome by the occasion, saying: ``I feel nerves prior to every match, but I don't feel any fear. Football isn't a game for those who get scared.''

Valeri Gazzaev has decided against risking another long-term absentee, Brazilian international Daniel Carvalho, who has stayed behind in Moscow, as has Nigerian defender Chidi Odiah.

But for his three long-term absentees, Gazzaev can call upon a full-strength side.

Meanwhile, CSKA officials, management and players have collectively called upon their fans to behave on Wednesday night at the Philips Stadium.

CSKA have had several run-ins with UEFA about the behaviour of their supporters over the past few seasons, and have called for composure following UEFA's announcement of stricter sanctions against those clubs whose fans misbehave at European matches.

Source: Soccernet.com