As in the past two seasons, one match makes the difference between the UEFA Europa League and Champions League. After a déjà vu at the Ibrox Stadium, PSV will have to work on Wednesday night to qualify for the main continental competition for the 17th time.
PSV should go into its 200th European home game (excluding Intertoto Cup). It maintains a nice balance in that: 114 wins, 46 draws and 39 defeats.
The outward game in Scotland ended in a 2-2 draw. The same score as last year, when Rangers FC was also the opponent in the all-decisive round. Last week, Abdallah Sima (45') opened the score just before halftime. Ibrahim Sangaré (61') tied the score again, but after a sublime counter, Rangers regained the lead through Rabbi Matondo (76'). Thanks to Luuk de Jong (80'), that was only short-lived.
Negative balance
Historically, PSV does not have the best papers, having won only one of its nine duels with the Scots. That happened in March 2011, when Jeremain Lens scored the only goal in the two-game clash with Glasgow Rangers. As a result, PSV advanced to the quarter-finals in the UEFA Europa League.
First in the UCL
Coincidentally, PSV and Rangers FC were part of the eight clubs that qualified for the first edition of the UEFA Champions League in 1992-1993. PSV finished fourth in its group at the time, while the Scots finished second in the other pool. The winners of the two pools advanced directly to the final.
If PSV qualifies for the group stage, it will be the second time in 12 seasons that two Dutch clubs will be part of the main tournament. The other time was in 2018-2019, when PSV and Ajax qualified through the preliminary rounds. This season, Feyenoord qualified directly for the group stage.
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Penalty kicks
Should it come down to a penalty series Wednesday night, it will be the fifth time in the club's European history. The first time that happened was in 1988 when PSV won the European Cup I at the expense of Benfica. The last time was against Atlético Madrid in 2016. Then PSV was eliminated after a blistering penalty shootout.
Records and milestones
Not often does an "All About" go by without Luuk de Jong being named. The PSV-1 captain and striker once again faces a milestone. After scoring his 150th Eredivisie goal in his last league game, he could play his 250th official game for PSV on Wednesday night. If the one-man power forward scores, he will be the first player in club history to do so in five consecutive European games. Willy van der Kuijlen, Ralf Edström, Gerrie Deijkers, Romário and Balázs Dzsudzsák all scored in four consecutive games.Scottish PremiershipRangers FC are currently fourth in the
Scottish Premiership
The team from Glasgow is currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership. The club won two league games and lost one. Last weekend Ross County was swept aside 2-0 thanks to goals from Tavernier and Roofe.
