Ruud Van Nistelrooy Anticipates ‘Intense’ Second Leg For Hamburg Against PSV

HSV face a difficult match in Eindhoven, but Van Nistelrooy believes it is an encounter that the German club can look forward to...

Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was pleased to get a cameo appearance under his belt against former employers PSV in the Europa League, though he believes that the tie is evenly balanced enough so that there will be a closely-fought second leg in the Netherlands next week.

A Marcell Jansen penalty was all that separated the two teams in a fractious affair at the Hamburg Arena and van Nistelrooy believes the Bundesliga outfit will be in for a stern examination on February 25, when the second leg is played.

“Overall, we can be happy with 1-0 but the second leg will not be easy,” the Dutchman explained to HSV’s official website after the game. “I know the stadium in Eindhoven and the atmosphere very well; it will be an intense game - and one to which we can look forward to.”

On his own performance, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker was left a little disappointed not to have registered his third goal for his new side. “It was an incredible reception for me and I would like to thank all the spectators,” he said. “Unfortunately I could not pay them back with a goal. I had a good chance, but the goalkeeper performed well.”

Van Nistelrooy will visit the Philips Stadion next Thursday, where he played 67 times in the Eredivisie for PS, scoring a hugely impressive 62 goals in the process.
Goal.com

Ruud Van Nistelrooy Football and Life