Champions League Playoff Preview: PSV Eindhoven Seeks Redemption, Can Antwerp Follow Their Coach's Lead?

The first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs continued early on August 23, Beijing time, bringing fresh storylines and excitement for football fans. Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, eliminated in the same round last season by Rangers, is determined to redeem themselves after a costly summer of reinforcements. On the other side, Antwerp, under the leadership of coach Mark van Bommel, clinched their first league title in 66 years last season. Now, the Belgian champions hope that their coach's experience will guide them to further success.

Rangers vs. PSV Eindhoven: Whose New Signings Will Shine?

It seems fate has once again drawn Rangers and PSV Eindhoven together in the Champions League playoffs. The two clubs met in the same stage last season, with Rangers emerging victorious, knocking out the Dutch giants then led by Ruud van Nistelrooy. As the teams clash again, Rangers fans are undoubtedly hoping for a repeat of last year’s triumph.

Despite Rangers’ disappointing exit from the Champions League last season and their inability to dethrone Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, coach Michael Beale has retained the confidence of the club’s board, reflected in the significant transfer budget allocated to him this summer. However, early signs indicate that the new investments have not yet yielded an improvement in their performance. In their opening two Scottish Premiership matches, Rangers have collected just three points, and they narrowly scraped through their last Champions League qualifier against Swiss side Servette.

In the first leg of their qualifier against Servette in Geneva, Rangers took a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes thanks to a blistering start. They carried a 2-1 advantage back to Glasgow for the second leg, where they initially fell behind but managed to equalize through captain James Tavernier’s header—his second goal of the tie, following his penalty in the first leg. Despite the scare, Servette could not mount a significant comeback, and Rangers advanced with a 3-2 aggregate scoreline. A positive for the fans has been the immediate impact of new signings Cyriel Dessers and club record signing Danilo, both of whom have scored their first goals for the club and shown an encouraging ability to assist each other. At the moment, Rangers’ attacking firepower seems in good shape.

PSV Eindhoven, on the other hand, has had a flying start to their campaign. From defeating league champions Feyenoord in the Dutch Super Cup, PSV has gone on to win five consecutive matches, helping fans quickly forget about the departure of club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy. Last season, PSV saw Ajax lose several of their top players, which made them hopeful of claiming the Eredivisie title. However, Feyenoord’s resurgence dashed their hopes. Determined to reclaim the crown, PSV made significant investments this summer, bringing in three new players, each costing over €10 million—a considerable outlay by Eredivisie standards.

The two-legged tie between Rangers and PSV last season was fiercely contested. The first leg ended in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox, with Rangers prevailing 1-0 in the return leg in Eindhoven, courtesy of a goal by Croatian striker Antonio Čolak. However, Čolak has since departed for Italian side Parma. This season, both clubs are relying on their new additions to make the difference. Given PSV’s current form, they are favorites to snatch a 1-0 win in Glasgow.

Royal Antwerp vs. AEK Athens: Is Van Bommel's Coaching Career Ready for Takeoff?

Thanks to Belgium’s improved UEFA coefficient, Antwerp, as the Belgian champions, were granted direct entry into the Champions League playoffs. Last season, Antwerp finished third in the regular league season, but their outstanding performance in the Championship Playoffs saw them clinch their first league title since 1957. Consequently, they earned their first opportunity to compete in the Champions League in 66 years. In their last appearance in Europe’s premier competition, they were eliminated by Real Madrid 8-1 on aggregate in the first round. This time, they are hoping for a much deeper run.

Antwerp's coach, former Dutch international Mark van Bommel, took over in July 2022 and guided them to their historic league title last season—his first as a manager. Given that Antwerp is not traditionally a powerhouse in Belgian football, Van Bommel’s achievement is remarkable. It begs the question: is his coaching career about to take off?

This summer, Antwerp made headlines in Belgian football by spending €6 million to sign 17-year-old forward George Ilenikhena from French Ligue 2 side Amiens. The signing raised eyebrows across the Belgian league, as it is rare for a Jupiler Pro League team to spend such an amount, especially on a player considered an unpolished talent. Due to the transfer being within the European Union, the under-18 player was allowed to move abroad. However, Ilenikhena has only made a few late-game appearances so far and is yet to find the net.

AEK Athens’ road to the Champions League playoffs has been filled with drama. Their tie against Dinamo Zagreb was initially scheduled with AEK hosting the first leg, but fan unrest in Athens led to a postponement, forcing AEK to play away first. Despite their supporters' reputation for volatility, the AEK players remained calm and staged a dramatic comeback in the away leg. The second leg, held at home amid tense circumstances, saw AEK escape a potential UEFA sanction that could have resulted in their home match being moved. Rewarding UEFA’s “leniency,” AEK triumphed with a stoppage-time winner from center-back Domagoj Vida, a former player of Dinamo Zagreb, to advance to the playoff round.

While the new season of the Belgian Pro League is already underway, Antwerp’s results have been less than convincing. Meanwhile, the Greek Super League has just started, with AEK's opening match postponed due to their Champions League commitments. Despite this, AEK's extensive European experience gives them a potential edge in this tie. They are expected to secure a 2-1 away win over Antwerp.

PSV’s Quest for Redemption Against Rangers

For PSV Eindhoven, this Champions League playoff tie represents an opportunity to avenge their defeat to Rangers from last season. The Dutch club has undergone significant changes, including the arrival of new manager Peter Bosz, who has revitalized the squad. Bosz’s tactical approach, marked by high pressing and attacking football, has brought immediate results, and PSV fans are optimistic about their chances of qualifying for the group stage this time around.

The Dutch side’s recent signings, including U.S. international Ricardo Pepi, Belgian midfielder Johan Bakayoko, and veteran midfielder Hirving Lozano, have all quickly integrated into the team. Bosz's side is playing with confidence and flair, making them a formidable opponent for Rangers. The first leg in Glasgow will test PSV’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, but their current form suggests they are more than capable of securing a positive result.

Antwerp's Ambitions Under Van Bommel

Royal Antwerp's ambitions go beyond just making up the numbers in the Champions League. Van Bommel, known for his aggressive playing style during his career, has instilled a similar mindset in his players. The team’s unexpected league triumph has given them newfound confidence, and the addition of young talents like Ilenikhena indicates a willingness to invest in future potential.

However, Van Bommel faces a challenging task against AEK Athens, a club with considerable experience in European competitions. The Greek side’s defensive solidity and ability to perform under pressure were evident in their dramatic win over Dinamo Zagreb. For Antwerp, success in this tie will require a balanced approach, blending Van Bommel’s aggressive tactics with a measured defensive strategy to contain AEK’s attacking threats.

As the Champions League playoff stage unfolds, both PSV Eindhoven and Royal Antwerp have much to prove. PSV is eager to erase the memories of last year’s disappointment and show that their summer investments can lead them back to Europe’s elite competition. Meanwhile, Antwerp hopes to continue their fairy tale journey under Van Bommel’s guidance, while AEK Athens looks to leverage their experience to spoil the Belgian champions' dreams. The stage is set for two thrilling encounters, where new signings, tactical adjustments, and individual brilliance will determine who advances to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.