PSV Eindhoven welcomed Atletico Madrid to the Netherlands for the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday.
Both teams had chances in an open first period, but the pair headed down the tunnel level at 0-0.
The match swung in Atletico's favour in the 68th minute when Gaston Pereiro picked up a red card, but the visitors could not make their advantage count as it finished goalless on the night.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Eindhoven as PSV Eindhoven welcome Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their last-16 tie. There is no question that Atletico are the favourites to secure a spot in the quarter-finals, but a positive result for PSV tonight would leave them dreaming ahead of the return in Spain. Let's hope for an entertaining match-up from the Netherlands!
HEAD-TO-HEAD! Somewhat surprisingly, these two clubs have only ever locked horns on two previous occasions and both of those matches were in the group stages of the 2008-09 Champions League. Atletico recorded a 2-1 victory in Madrid and they were also 3-0 winners in Eindhoven, when a certain Argentine by the name of Sergio Aguero hit a brace for the La Liga team.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Eindhoven. Who have Phillip Cocu and Diego Simeone placed their faith in tonight? Let's find out...
TEAMS:
PSV: Zoet; Arias, Bruma, Moreno, Willems; Van Ginkel, Guardado, Propper; Pereiro, Locadia, Narsingh
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke; Oliver, Vietto, Griezmann
PSV are without the services of skipper Luuk de Jong through suspension, but the experienced Andres Guardado has shaken off a hamstring problem to make the first XI. Maxime Lestienne is still struggling with a calf problem, however, and only makes the bench. Otherwise it is the team that was expected to start, with Luciano Narsingh joined in the final third by Jurgen Locadia and Gaston Pereiro.
As for Atletico, an ankle problem keeps Yannick Ferreira Carrasco on the sidelines, while midfielders Tiago and Thomas Partey remain out of action. Stefan Savic has been preferred to Jose Gimenez at centre-back, while there is a surprise start for Oliver Torres, who is chosen ahead of Angel Correa in a midfield role. Luciano Vietto also comes in to lead the attack at the expense of Fernando Torres.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little over 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild night in Eindhoven. I shall talk about Atletico a little bit later, but let's start with the home team, who surprisingly made it through Group B alongside Wolfsburg. Manchester United were the favourites to top what was one of the easier groups, but 10 points were enough for PSV to qualify in second.
Indeed, PSV won all three of their Group B matches in this stadium, including a 2-1 victory over Man United back in September. They also beat group winners Wolfsburg 2-0 and CSKA Moscow 2-1, but they are very inexperienced at this stage of the competition. Indeed, this season, the Dutch club have made it through to the round of 16 for the first time since the 2006-07 campaign.
PSV actually overcame Arsenal in 06-07 to make the quarter-finals, where they were then beaten 4-0 on aggregate by Liverpool. The Dutch outfit might not be experienced in the latter stages of the Champions League, but this season's campaign was their 14th in the group stages of this competition.
That said, PSV have only won four of their previous 24 games against Spanish opposition – losing 10 times in the process. Their home record makes better reading through – four wins, six draws and two defeats against teams from La Liga. They have never won in Spain, however, which is a worry ahead of the second leg in the Spanish capital next month. You sense that they need a result tonight.
PSV will enter this match off the back of three consecutive league wins, however, which have seen them advance to first position in the Eredivisie ahead of Ajax. They have also not conceded in their last three matches and the fact that they fielded the youngest squad in this season's group stages – average age of 24 years and one month – suggests that the future is bright for PSV.
As for Atletico, they have made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third consecutive season. They opened Group C with a 2-0 victory at Galatasaray and managed to qualify as group winners despite losing 2-1 at home to Benfica in their second match. After losing that particular clash, they recorded three wins and one draw to finish three points clear of Benfica.
Last season, Simeone's side beat Bayer Leverkusen at this stage of the competition, but needed a penalty shootout for that to occur after both legs finished 1-0 to the hosts. Real Madrid then knocked Atletico out in the quarter-finals and those two could well lock horns again in Europe this term. In truth, it would be a surprise if PSV managed to overcome Atletico over the two legs.
Atletico have lost all four of their previous two-legged ties with Dutch clubs, however, which has included a couple of clashes with Ajax, the last of which was in the quarter-finals of the 1996-97 Champions League. Home and away, Atletico's record against Dutch opposition is won five, drawn one and lost four. Just a reminder that the return leg of this last-16 tie will take place on March 15.
The capital side are not exactly the most enterprising team in the competition and they rarely put on a feast of goals, but they have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 15 Champions League matches, which is some record. It might not always be pretty to watch, but Atletico are so effective and they have the credentials needed to upset the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich this season.
In terms of recent form, Atletico have actually lost two of their last five games in all competitions and will enter this match off the back of a 0-0 draw with Villarreal in the league at the weekend. That result was enough to see them return to second spot ahead of Real Madrid, but Simeone's side are eight points behind the leaders Barcelona, who were 2-0 winners at Arsenal in the first leg of their last-16 tie last night. Real Madrid, meanwhile, recorded a 2-0 victory at Roma last week.
PREDICTION! I fancy Atletico to nick this one tonight. PSV will be full of energy and enterprise, but Atletico are just so resolute at the back. I would be very surprised if this match was a feast of goals and I am actually only going to predict the one! Atletico to secure a 1-0 victory in Netherlands.
A reminder of the two teams tonight...
PSV: Zoet; Arias, Bruma, Moreno, Willems; Van Ginkel, Guardado, Propper; Pereiro, Locadia, Narsingh
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke; Oliver, Vietto, Griezmann
KICKOFF! Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged - time for the football! It is the home side that get the first 45 underway tonight...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight and around 1,000 Atletico supporters are believed to be inside the ground. Let's hope for an entertaining game here!
Not too much to report in terms of attacking pressure in the opening four minutes as both teams just attempt to settle into the match. Both will have to have a look at the opposition for the opening 10, 15 minutes and it would not be a surprise if we have to wait a while for the first real chance.
OFF-THE-LINE! In fact, we do not have to wait long for a chance! Atletico come close to taking the lead as Vietto meets a through ball from his skipper Gabi before poking it past Zoet, but Bruma is on hand to clear off the line for a corner. Zoet is actually still down following that clash with Vietto!
That famous magic sponge is out and Zoet is fit to resume the action here.
Atletico have made a strong start to this match and it would be fair to say that PSV do not look too secure at the back. All of the early pressure has come from the team in dark blue shirts tonight.
Decent spell of possession for PSV in the last minute or two, but the home side have not yet been given a sniff of the Atletico goal. The Spanish team are just so excellent in a defensive area.
Locadia's pace threatens to take him into a one-on-one situation with the Atletico goalkeeper, but Godin is on hand to make a fine challenge and Savic is on the cover to pump the ball clear!
Well - Gabi catches Locadia inside the Atletico box, but the referee says no thank you!
It is a very even game at the moment as both teams continue to enjoy spells in possession of the ball. The standout chance came to Atletico in the fourth minute, but Bruma cleared Vietto's effort off the line. PSV have not really been able to get anything going in the final third thus far tonight.
PSV have had a couple of chances to break in the last few moments, but Atletico have been able to stop the danger in its tracks. The home side have plenty of pace and movement when they break forward, but that little bit of quality on the final pass has been lacking inside 16 minutes tonight.
It must be said that the atmosphere inside this stadium is just wonderful. The home supporters are having a super time at the moment and their team have made a solid start to this last-16 tie.
CHANCE! Another super chance for Atletico as Koke is played through one-on-one with Zoet, but the Spanish midfielder goes for the chip and the goalkeeper steps back to collect.
BOOKING! Savic (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Locadia.
You just get the feeling that PSV will need to score tonight if they are to stand a chance of advancing from the second leg next month. I would be surprised if Atletico did not score over the two matches and the Spanish side are just so difficult to break down. For me, PSV need the first goal here.
PSV continue to enjoy plenty of the ball, but they are just finding it so difficult to break through this Atletico back-line. They are not the first and definitely will not be the last either!
Stop-start period of the match in the last few minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following a couple of late challenges. Little over 15 minutes of the first period to play and we remain 0-0.
Plenty of incisive movement from PSV, but the story of the match has not changed. Atletico's shape is so impressive that there is just no space. None at all. It is incredible from a tactical view-point.
SAVE! The flag stays down as Griezmann goes through one-on-one with Zoet, but the PSV goalkeeper makes a wonderful save. Really should have been the opening goal of the match!
CHANCE! PSV's best chance of the match falls to Propper following excellent build-up from the home side, but the midfielder could only fire at Oblak and Atletico manage to scramble clear!
Van Ginkel strikes from distance, but his effort was always wide of Oblak's post.
Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and this match has certainly opened up in the last five minutes or so. Both teams have had super chances, but the score remains goalless.
Moreno and Bruma are both being allowed time on the ball just inside the Atletico half, but the centre-back pairing for PSV are struggling for options in the final third. Atletico continue to shuffle across the pitch as one, but they were undone in that move that led to Prosser testing Oblak!
I suspect that PSV boss Cocu will be pretty pleased with what he has seen from his side in this first period. That said, Atletico really should be at least one goal ahead - they've had some super chances.
The home supporters have lifted the noise once again and their team respond with another smart period of passing outside the Atletico box, but Propper cannot slip it through to Narsingh.
Half-chance for Atletico as Gabi delivers a corner into Godin, but the defender's header is deflected just wide by Arias. Another corner is delivered into Godin, but Zoet comes a long way to punch!
HALF-TIME: PSV 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Atletico have had a couple of excellent chances, but Vietto saw his effort cleared off the line, before Griezmann brought a smart save from Zoet. The home side's best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Propper, but the Dutchman could not beat Oblak from close range. All square in Eindhoven tonight.
STATS! PSV have dominated the possession with 58%, while they have had four attempts - one of which was on target. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their five attempts. Just the one booking to report - Savic (Atletico) for a late challenge on Locadia in the 22nd minute.
BENCH WATCH! PSV are without their suspended skipper Luuk de Jong tonight, but head coach Cocu has options in the shape of Hendrix, Lestienne and Schaars. Atletico, meanwhile, have the likes of Correa, Augusto Fernandez and Fernando Torres on their bench in Eindhoven.
MATCH PIC!
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough in Eindhoven? It is the away side that resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops in this first leg!
Just a reminder that the second leg of this tie will take place next month in Madrid. Would PSV accept a 0-0 tonight? It sounds strange but I think that they would. Atletico will really want to score an away goal and there is no question that Simeone will be disappointed if that does not occur here.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the early stages of this second period and it has been a little stop-start due to a number of late challenges. Still just the one yellow tonight though.
Super work from Oliver Torres as the Atletico midfielder slides a pass into Juanfran, who delivers towards the near post, but Vietto cannot make contract ahead of Moreno. Nice football.
BOOKING! Pereiro (PSV) is booked for a tug on Luis.
The fact that 0-0 would be a decent result for both teams is playing a part at the moment here.
CLOSE! Koke almost turns a low Willems cross into the back of his own net, but it just moves wide of the post and PSV force their first corner of the match tonight.
Pereiro needs to be a bit careful here as he receives another warning from the referee. The PSV attacker has already been booked and the last thing that the hosts need is to go down to 10 men.
ATLETICO SUB! Fernando Torres replaces Vietto for Atletico.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Godin has the ball in the back of the net for Atletico, but the referee says that the defender was climbing on the back of Moreno. Little bit harsh for me!
Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and you just get the feeling that something is waiting to happen here. A goal, a red card, a penalty? Something is going to occur - I can just sense it!
PSV SUB! Isimat-Mirin replaces Narsingh for the home team.
Not an awful lot to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Well, in the second period at all. Atletico have carried a threat without seriously taking the game to their opponents and the same can also be said for PSV. In truth, a 0-0 draw would not be the worst result for either side tonight.
RED CARD! PEREIRO!
PSV go down to 10 men as Pereiro picks up his second yellow card for a high challenge on Godin!
Gabi strikes one from distance and it needed saving by the PSV stopper!
CHANCE! Juanfran delivers a super ball into Fernando Torres, but the striker fires over the crossbar. PSV might well have to ride their luck in the final 20 minutes or so tonight.
As expected, all of the pressure is coming from Atletico at the moment and both managers are going to respond to that red card by making changes. Angel Correa will enter for the visitors...
... ATLETICO SUB! Correa replaces Saul Niguez.
PSV SUB! The home side also make a change as Guardado departs for Hendrix.
PSV are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as Atletico continue to dominate the possession, but we are still level at 0-0 with little over 10 minutes of football to play in Eindhoven.
Fernando Torres does well to turn outside the PSV box after smart work from Correa, but the striker's effort is deflected wide of the post by Bruma, who has been strong tonight.
Bruma then takes one in the face from Correa as PSV survive again.
Super work from Correa once again as the little Argentine turns away from Bruma inside the PSV box, but Zoet jumps on the ball to stop the attacker from having a clear attempt from close range.
Griezmann heads straight into the arms of Zoet as we remain level here.
PSV SUB! Lestienne replaces Locadia for the home team.
CHANCE! PSV break away down the right and Hendrix delivers a super cross onto the boot of Lestienne, but the midfielder fires his volley over the crossbar. Would have been some goal!
A lot of pressure from Atletico, but the home side are defending their lines at the moment.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
PSV do their best to break down the field, but Godin is on hand to clear and Atletico might well have time for one more chance in this match. They will need to get their skates on though!
FULL-TIME: PSV 0-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. PSV were reduced to 10 men in the 68th minute when Pereiro was given a red card, but the visitors could not make their advantage count. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Until next time!
