PSV vs. Girona (November 5, 2024) Prelude

November 4 (Reuters) – Girona have a lot to gain and little to lose when they face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday, coach Michel said, adding they need a solid performance to become a top European team defeat.

Despite claiming its first European Cup win against Slovan Bratislava last month, Girona is still struggling to find its best form and is dealing with a long list of injured players.

After a La Liga win against Leganes on Saturday, Michel said his players might not be full of energy but had the mentality to look for points at the Philips Stadium before more demanding games, including against Liverpool, AC Milan and Arsenal.

“We have a lot to gain and little to lose. We are playing against a historic team with European championship titles. We don’t bring the energy that I would like, but we bring a mentality,” Michel said at a press conference Monday.

“We need the points and of course every game is important. I don’t know what the bar will be to get to the top, but we are on a privileged stage and we will compete.”

Girona occupy the 24th and final playoff spot in the 36-team Champions League table with three points from three games ahead of PSV, who are in 28th with two points.

Michel added that as the Eredivisie champions, who have yet to win the Champions League this season and last lost at home in 2022, his players will have to dig deep and give maximum intensity.

“We have to try to be the ones who dominate and have the ball. We have to try and get them to look at their goal. If we give them control, it will be very difficult for us to maintain the pace and stop them,” said the Spaniard.

“PSV have been virtually unbeaten at home for two years in a row. They are a great team with enormous pressure and pace. We know how difficult it will be, and if we want to get something out of them, we have to match their intensity.” (Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)