Europa League – Match Analysis: PSV Eindhoven versus Sampdoria
PSV open their Europa League account as they welcome the Italian club side Sampdoria Genoa to Holland for their opening match of the secondary level of European competition. PSV have had some good moments throughout their history
as far as European club cup competitions are concerned but recently they have failed to impress.
A few years ago they competed against Arsenal in the round of sixteen of the UEFA Champions League and knocked the Gunners out of the competition. That was perhaps their most memorable match in recent memory.
However, the Dutch giants will be looking to rectify their lack of success at the continental level as they embark on another European journey. So far in the Eredivisie, the Dutch football division one, PSV are at the top of the
table with thirteen points. Eindhoven side will be looking to take their domestic form into European competitions against Sampdoria.
Along with having a competitive squad which can compete against the likes of Liverpool in the Europa League, PSV also have a brilliant habit of getting good results at in their home matches in European games.
In their last seven home matches in Europe, Eindhoven have not dropped even a single point as they have won all of their last seven matches. Sampdoria are favourites to progress from their group along with Eindhoven but PSV will
be aware of the fact that they can stop the Italians if they manage to get a favourable result against them at their home stadium on Thursday.
Sampdoria almost qualified for the UEFA Champions League in reality. They were a part of the Champions League’s qualification stages but failed to defeat Werder Bremen in their home tie. Even after gaining a two goal lead during
the match against Bremen, they gave it up in the final moments of the match to force extra time upon themselves. Werder went from strength to strength in extra time and won the game thanks to a brilliant strike from Pizzaro.
Sampdoria have had a wonderful start to their season if one discounts their failure in the qualification rounds of the Champions League. They drew their last match against Juventus in Turin after pulling back from a three goals
to one deficit to draw the match three all.
Sampdoria who are currently third in the Serie A with four points from two matches will be dependent on their strikers Pozzi and Cassano for goals against PSV.
Pozzi spoke for PSV in their pre-match press conference and the Italian international striker said that Sampdoria’s objective is to progress to the next round of the tournament and the best way to go about achieving that is to
win their first game of the competition.
He complimented his opponents by saying that PSV are one of the best teams in the Dutch football league and that the football they play is also quite easy on the eye. He assured Sampdoria’s fans that he will try to take any chances
that fall his way during the match against Eindhoven.
Sampdoria’s coach, Domenico Di Carlo who took over in the summer from Luigi Del Neri said that, Sampdoria showed good character in their comeback draw against Juventus on the past weekend.
PSV are set to be without their Bulgarian defender Manolev as he is sidelined due to a groin injury. Francisco Javier Rodriguez is also not available for selection for the Dutch giants as he is suspended for this encounter. Sampdoria
on the other hand have more injury casualties than PSV as Sammarco, Poli, Tissone, Accardi and Guberti are all out with injury for the Italian club side.
PSV’s key to winning the match against Sampdoria depends on their efforts to keep the Genoa striker, Cassano quiet. If they succeed, win can very well be their companion come the end of the ninety minutes in Holland.
Tags: