PREVIEW Gerets bullish ahead of all-Dutch clash
Wednesday 20th March 2002
PSV manager Erik Gerets has warned Feyenoord that they face a severe test in Thursday's Uefa Cup quarter-final second leg.
Feyenoord are favourites to go through to the semi-finals after holding PSV to a 1-1 draw in last week's first leg, but Gerets insists the tie is far from over.
"We are not planning to be led to the slaughterhouse just like that," he said. "We are going to Rotterdam with the intention of qualifying for the semi-finals."
Gerets has underlined the importance of the game by taking the unusual step of banning the press from the team's final training session on Thursday.
"This session is too important to me," he explained. "We will work on a few things that I would rather the media didn't see. We will have a tactical training session, then I will inform the players of the line-up."
Holland defender Kevin Hofland is definitely out through suspension, while midfielder Johann Vogel is missing due to concussion.
Two more key players, Kasper Bogelund and Wilfred Bouma, face late fitness tests. "They are both very important, but I am hoping they will still make it in time," added Gerets.
Feyenoord have fewer injury worries, with long-term absentees Ulrich van Gobbel, Ramon van Haaren, Ferry de Haan and Pieter Collen the only players unavailable.
Defender Patrick Paauwe returns to the line-up after serving a ban last week and feels a repeat of Feyenoord's first-leg performance could be enough to secure a place in the last four.
"We played well in the first-leg and most of the time we had control over the game because we were in charge in midfield," he said. "PSV obviously took over at times but we were certainly doing well.
"It would be great if we could qualify for the semi-finals. The stakes are high for this game. These matches are the highlights of the season."
Feyenoord (probable): Zoetebier, Emerton, Van Wonderen, Paauwe, Rzasa, Kalou, Bosvelt, Ono, Van Persie, Tomasson, Van Hooijdonk
PSV (probable): Waterreus, Bogelund, Ooijer, Faber, Heintze, Rommedahl, Van Bommel, Lucius, Bouma, Kezman, Vennegoor of Hesselink