PSV's Hiddink Aware Of Lyon's Qualities

By Brenz
April 5 2005

PSV Eindhoven boss Guus Hiddink admits that he is fearing the goal power of Lyon before the teams meet in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final.

French champions Lyon have scorched their way to 27 goals in eight matches in this season's competition.

Hiddink told BBC Sport: "I'm worried about the amount of goals Lyon score. They blew Werder Bremen away 3-0 away and they blasted them 7-2 at home."They also scored a lot in their other games so it's worrying."

Dutch league leaders PSV are one of the surprise teams left in the last eight and their exploits have even startled Hiddink, who lost influential attacking duo Arjen Robben and Mateja Kezman to Chelsea last summer.

"I'm surprised because I had to rebuild the team last August because both Kezman and Robben are now playing in England and they were responsible for about 70% of the production of the team," added Hiddink.

"I had to rebuild with young players, which I did from South America, with Heurelho da Silva Gomes and Alex da Costa, American DaMarcus Beasley and one experienced player in Cocu."That mix from the beginning was surprisingly doing very well."

Hiddink led PSV to European Cup glory in 1988 during his first spell in charge and guided underdogs South Korea to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

PSV beat Dutch rivals Ajax 4-0 recently but, while they may have shocked onlookers at their progress, Hiddink believes there is plenty more hunger left in his players.
"The ambition still grows and that means - against a very strong, well-organised Lyon - it is difficult but the confidence has grown and is in place," added Hiddink.

The PSV boss is resigned to losing combative midfielder Mark van Bommel, who has been linked with Barcelona, in the summer and Hiddink will almost be left where he started."I can understand his position but it will be a new rebuilding situation for me," he stated.