02-11-2005, 04:19 PM
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PSV get new colt heroes
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
by Derek Brookman
from Eindhoven
e-mailPrint
AC Milan were handed their second UEFA Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven in the space of a year as the Dutch side's revamped midfield held sway.
Unlucky break
Six months ago, PSV were widely regarded as unlucky to have missed out on a place in the UEFA Champions League final after beating Milan in the second leg of their semi-final at the Philips stadium, but despite losing a raft of top-class players since then, they still managed to beat Milan 1-0 on Tuesday.
Wing wonders
Following Matchday 3's goalless Group E draw between the two sides at the San Siro, PSV's wide attackers DaMarcus Beasley (23) and Jefferson Farfán (21) tormented the Milan defence, with their direct and energetic play wreaking havoc in what is regarded as one of the game's most steadfast rearguards.
Torrid night
Jaap Stam, playing at right back, had a torrid time trying to contain Beasley, and was ultimately sent off after tugging the American forward's shirt and receiving his second yellow card. Farfán, meanwhile, took the plaudits as he scored the game's only goal.
Midfield prodigies
But the key to the Dutch champions' victory - and the biggest story of the evening - lay in the middle of the park. Ibrahim Afellay is still only 19 but almost seemed like a veteran compared to Ismaïl Aisatti, the 17-year-old making his full first-team debut.
Mature performances
Coming up against the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Kaká did not faze either of the young Dutch midfielders, who used the ball intelligently and kept possession well all evening. Their precociousness was surely not lost on Seedorf, who won the UEFA Champions League as a 19-year-old with AFC Ajax.
Old heads
But the success of the PSV midfield was not just down to the exuberance of youth. Summer signing and Belgian international Timmy Simons protected the defence, while 35-year old Phillip Cocu once again turned in a marvellous all-round performance, coming close to scoring on several occasions.
Natural composure
"We were well organised at the back, and we were able to play more football than in Milan," said Simons. As for his role in helping Aisatti, he said: "We told him to relax and be himself on the pitch and that's what he did. It was like he had been playing at this level for years. He showed great courage and flair."
Aisatti pleased
"Playing with fantastic team-mates like Philip [Cocu] and André [Ooijer] helps and I just tried to play my own game," said Aisatti, demonstrating his composure in front of the press. "I have a lot of respect for players such as Pirlo and Stam, but only off the pitch. On the pitch I want to beat them."
No end of surprises
At the end of the 2003/04 season, PSV lost their entire front line of Arjen Robben, Mateja Keà ¾man and Dennis Rommedahl. Their response was to progress beyond the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time, continuing all the way to the semi-finals playing attacking football.
Miraculous recovery
This summer, several key midfielders departed, namely Mark van Bommel, Johann Vogel and Ji-Sung Park. Yet last night, the new look midfield won the battle with Milan. It seems there is no end to the surprises coach Guus Hiddink and his players can spring.
éuefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.
PSV get new colt heroes
Wednesday, 2 November 2005
by Derek Brookman
from Eindhoven
e-mailPrint
AC Milan were handed their second UEFA Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven in the space of a year as the Dutch side's revamped midfield held sway.
Unlucky break
Six months ago, PSV were widely regarded as unlucky to have missed out on a place in the UEFA Champions League final after beating Milan in the second leg of their semi-final at the Philips stadium, but despite losing a raft of top-class players since then, they still managed to beat Milan 1-0 on Tuesday.
Wing wonders
Following Matchday 3's goalless Group E draw between the two sides at the San Siro, PSV's wide attackers DaMarcus Beasley (23) and Jefferson Farfán (21) tormented the Milan defence, with their direct and energetic play wreaking havoc in what is regarded as one of the game's most steadfast rearguards.
Torrid night
Jaap Stam, playing at right back, had a torrid time trying to contain Beasley, and was ultimately sent off after tugging the American forward's shirt and receiving his second yellow card. Farfán, meanwhile, took the plaudits as he scored the game's only goal.
Midfield prodigies
But the key to the Dutch champions' victory - and the biggest story of the evening - lay in the middle of the park. Ibrahim Afellay is still only 19 but almost seemed like a veteran compared to Ismaïl Aisatti, the 17-year-old making his full first-team debut.
Mature performances
Coming up against the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Andrea Pirlo and Kaká did not faze either of the young Dutch midfielders, who used the ball intelligently and kept possession well all evening. Their precociousness was surely not lost on Seedorf, who won the UEFA Champions League as a 19-year-old with AFC Ajax.
Old heads
But the success of the PSV midfield was not just down to the exuberance of youth. Summer signing and Belgian international Timmy Simons protected the defence, while 35-year old Phillip Cocu once again turned in a marvellous all-round performance, coming close to scoring on several occasions.
Natural composure
"We were well organised at the back, and we were able to play more football than in Milan," said Simons. As for his role in helping Aisatti, he said: "We told him to relax and be himself on the pitch and that's what he did. It was like he had been playing at this level for years. He showed great courage and flair."
Aisatti pleased
"Playing with fantastic team-mates like Philip [Cocu] and André [Ooijer] helps and I just tried to play my own game," said Aisatti, demonstrating his composure in front of the press. "I have a lot of respect for players such as Pirlo and Stam, but only off the pitch. On the pitch I want to beat them."
No end of surprises
At the end of the 2003/04 season, PSV lost their entire front line of Arjen Robben, Mateja Keà ¾man and Dennis Rommedahl. Their response was to progress beyond the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time, continuing all the way to the semi-finals playing attacking football.
Miraculous recovery
This summer, several key midfielders departed, namely Mark van Bommel, Johann Vogel and Ji-Sung Park. Yet last night, the new look midfield won the battle with Milan. It seems there is no end to the surprises coach Guus Hiddink and his players can spring.
éuefa.com 1998-2005. All rights reserved.
Bangkok resident.