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Lyon v Gent: Must-win clash for Stade de Gerland´s European farewell
22 November 2015
It is a case of now or never for Lyon's 2015-16 Champions League hopes as they host a Gent side desperate for three points to keep their own chances of reaching the knockout stages intact.
Lyon have endured a miserable European campaign thus far with their only point coming against the Belgian champions in the reverse fixture on matchday one.
Despite their poor form, Lyon can still qualify and victory over Gent - coupled with Valencia failing to beat Zenit - would leave a winner-takes-all contest on matchday six against the Liga side.
However, a Valencia win in Russia would eliminate Lyon regardless of their result at the Stade de Gerland, which will host European football for the final time ahead of Lyon's move to the Stade des Lumieres next year.
Hubert Fournier's side - who have lost both of their home matches without scoring a goal - head into the contest on the back of a disappointing 3-0 Ligue 1 defeat at Nice.
The loss followed an excellent 3-0 win over Saint-Etienne in the Rhone derby before the international break, and left goalkeeper Anthony Lopes fuming ahead of the crucial Gent clash.
"We lacked aggression. It is infuriating," he told Lyon's official website. "We have to rectify this on Tuesday. There is hope that this is just an accident."
Gent will travel to Lyon without the backing of their away supporters, who have been banned from attending the match by local police as a precaution following the terror attacks in Paris earlier this month.
A total of 130 people are confirmed to have died as a result of a series of attacks across the French capital, with Belgium becoming a focus of the subsequent investigation.
Belgian champions Gent, who are playing their first Champions League campaign, are still well in contention to make the round of 16 and are just two points off second-placed Valencia.
Defeat to Lyon coupled with a Valencia win at Zenit would extinguish their hopes, but victory would leave it all to play for in the final group matches.
A 5-0 battering of Westerlo on Friday will give Gent plenty of confidence ahead of their trip, but head coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck warned that Lyon pose an entirely different threat.
"The team was good, if you [win] 5-0 it has to be the case," he said. "The start was perfect. [But] you cannot compare competitions."
Maxime Gonalons' sending off against Zenit last time out means his is suspended for Lyon, while Thomas Matton (foot), Hannes Van Der Bruggen (stomach muscle) and Nicklas Pedersen (ankle) are absent for Gent.
Maccabi Tel Aviv v Chelsea: Terry confident Hazard will lead the way
22 November 2015
John Terry is confident Eden Hazard can have a key influence for Chelsea when they travel to play Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The Belgium international has received his fair share of criticism this season following a number of underwhelming performances, but Terry feels Hazard has shown in recent weeks that he is back to his best again, having helped the reigning champions record a 1-0 win at home to Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday.
The 24-year-old missed a spot-kick in the reverse fixture and Terry has little doubt he will be gunning for revenge when the teams meet again.
"It is a big week now with the Champions League. We have got one win out the way against Norwich with hopefully more to come," Terry told the official Chelsea website.
"Eden is back to his best and not only on Saturday.
"The last five or six games you have seen from everybody the raising in performances individually and collectively.
"With the win over Norwich, the delight and the relief from the players is there to see."
Chelsea have every reason to be cautious ahead of the clash in Haifa on Tuesday. Jose Mourinho's men have won just two of their last 10 away matches in the Champions League, drawing five and losing three, while scoring more than one goal in a game just once in that run.
Mourinho will still be without first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Radamel Falcao is unavailable due to a muscle problem.
With seven points from four games, three behind Group G leaders Porto, Chelsea will qualify for the knockout rounds if they win and third-placed Dynamo Kiev fail to do the same in Portugal.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, have little reason for optimism ahead of the visit of Chelsea to the Sammy Ofer Stadium, as they have won just one of their 10 Champions League matches, finding the net in just four of those games.
Slavisa Jokanovic's men have scored the joint-fewest goals in the Champions League this season (one) and conceded the equal most (11), while they are one of four teams yet to win a game in this season's group stages, alongside Astana, Borussia Monchengladbach and Lyon.
Chelsea's only previous visit to Israel was a 2-0 loss at Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the 2001-02 UEFA Cup second round, preceding a 1-1 home draw.
The match on Tuesday represents a reunion for Tal Ben Haim, who had a year at Chelsea in 2007-08, beginning the season under Mourinho before the latter's departure in September. Terry, John Obi Mikel and Branislav Ivanovic are the only survivors from Ben Haim's time in West London still at the club.
Atletico Madrid v Galatasaray: Hosts out to finish the job at Vicente Calderon
23 November 2015
Atletico Madrid have domestic momentum on their side as they seek to gain the point they need to book a place in the Champions League's last-16 at Galatasaray's expense on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone's men extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight matches with a 1-0 victory against Real Betis on Sunday, as Atleti moved second in La Liga ahead of rivals Real Madrid.
Their last defeat came against Group C leaders Benfica, with Simeone's men now requiring just a point to ensure qualification this week - likely alongside the Primeira Liga side.
Simeone has doubts over the fitness of Jackson Martinez (ankle) but will be confident his side can gain at least the point necessary to ensure a top-two finish, having seen Juanfran return to training following a groin problem.
Gala - who have caretaker manager Claudio Taffarel in charge following Hamza Hamzaoglu's exit last week - need a win to have any hope of progression, but Atleti's weekend match-winner Koke says confidence is high at the Vicente Calderon.
"Today, we sit second [in La Liga] and with both feet on the ground," he told reporters.
"We know that Barcelona and Madrid are one step above, but step by step, we're getting there.
"I came from an injury and little by little I'm finding myself in my best shape. Today [Sunday] I have been able to help the team with a goal, with good work, and I hope to continue playing well."
Turkish champions Gala parted company with former boss Hamzaoglu after almost a year in charge - former Brazil international Taffarel overseeing Saturday's frustrating 3-3 draw with Antalyaspor.
Taffarel's men led three times in Istanbul only to come away with a single point and will be without suspended pair Burak Yilmaz and Selcuk Inan as they seek to avoid a repeat of their 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture.
Hamit Altintop (knee) is also doubtful for Wednesday's visitors and, after Mbilla Etame's last-gasp equaliser at the weekend, Taffarel told a news conference: "We're sorry to see [Hamzaoglu] go, but to question the decision of the management is not up to us.
"The defensive aspects of the game we did not do well. We talked in the locker room about how we improve our defensive mentality.
"A great team like Galatasaray should not panic in this way."
Barcelona v Roma: Buoyant Blaugrana on the brink of last-16 spot
22 November 2015
Barcelona will look to repeat the performance they delivered in the Clasico as they host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Luis Enrique's side dispatched Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in a ruthless display which has seen them pull six points clear of their fierce rivals in the Liga table.
Barca, with 10 points from the first four games, can clinch a spot in the last 16 for the 12th season running if they earn just a point against Rudi Garcia's Roma, or if Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat BATE in Group E's other encounter.
The European champions are now eight games without a defeat and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five, and Ivan Rakitic - who returned to the team against Madrid following a calf injury - wants to sustain that form for as long as possible.
"We enjoyed it a lot, not just because of our play. We had a great game," he said of the win over Madrid.
"There's a lot left [of the season]. We want to do well in every game and work to the maximum to keep doing it.
"It was a very special day and we are the first ones who want to enjoy it and do it well. We look forward to creating a lot of joy."
Barca were also boosted by the return of Lionel Messi from the bench against Madrid and Rakitic hopes his recovery will progress quickly now he is back in the side.
"Leo is a very important player for us and hopefully he'll keep feeling better with each match," he added.
Roma, who sit second in the group with just a one-point advantage on third-placed Leverkusen, come into the match following a controversial 2-2 draw with Bologna on Saturday which saw them miss out on the chance to move top of the Serie A table.
Head coach Rudi Garcia was furious that the game was allowed to go ahead on a waterlogged pitch, but defender Maicon says his side should be thankful to have earned a point and has challenged his team-mates to "step up" against Barca, as a victory could send them through to the knockout phase if Leverkusen drop points.
"We battled hard and tried to play our game despite the weather. The main thing is that we at least come away with a point," he told the club's official website.
"Tuesday will be a different competition. We're going to have to take a step up because it's a different game in a different setting. Hopefully we can prepare for it well and produce a big performance at Barcelona."
With Messi and Rakitic now back in the side, Rafinha (knee) and Douglas (foot) are Luis Enrique's only real injury concerns ahead of Tuesday's game, though Javier Mascherano is a doubt after taking a knock against Madrid and Dani Alves is one booking away from incurring a suspension. Roma, meanwhile, are without Francesco Totti, Gervinho (both thigh) and Mohamed Salah (ankle), though Daniele De Rossi could be fit to return to the squad.
Following a 1-1 draw in Italy on matchday one, Roma remain the only side to have played Barca more than twice in Europe's top competition without suffering a defeat, but they have not won away from home since a 3-2 victory over Basel in November 2010.
Luis Enrique's side boast a formidable home record against Italian visitors, however, having won seven and drawn two of their last nine matches.
Champions League or bust for Valencia's faltering project
Nov 28, 2015 08:30:00
Coach Nuno is under pressure after his side's inconsistent start to the season, with a top-four finish vital to the club's future
By Ben Hayward
The voices of discontent are getting louder. Back-to-back defeats in the Champions League have left Valencia's progress in the competition hanging in the balance, while the club's form in La Liga has also been anything but convincing and there are few signs of a turnaround.
The Mestalla outfit looked to be cruising to the quarter-finals on their return to the Champions League, but losses away to Gent and Zenit have left Nuno's men needing to beat Lyon in their final group game and hope that the Belgians cannot claim more than a point at home to the Russian side (already confirmed as runaway winners of the sector).
Failure to qualify for the last 16 would be a big blow to Nuno, who is no longer wanted by the majority of the club's fans and is also unpopular among many of the players for his treatment of striker Alvaro Negredo.
The former Spain striker has completed 90 minutes just twice this term, scoring only two goals in his nine appearances. However, many members of Valencia's squad are unhappy at his treatment and could not understand how he was cut from the final squad in Gent after he had failed to make the list at all for the game against Malaga in La Liga.
The recent 5-1 win at Celta Vigo won the coach some credit, but Valencia were extremely disappointing again as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Las Palmas last weekend and the defeat at Zenit has left Nuno in a precarious position.
"It wasn't the image, it wasn't the performance and it wasn't the intensity we showed against Celta, the Portuguese coach said of the draw against Las Palmas. "It's difficult to find an explanation."
Owner Peter Lim will want one, however. The Singaporean businessman has invested almost €200 million in signings since taking over at Valencia, but will be concerned at the team's poor progress in recent weeks - and especially the dreadful display at Gent that has left their Champions League hopes in the balance.
Lim is expected to return to the executive box at Mestalla for the Liga clash against Barcelona early next month and the crucial Champions League clash versus Lyon.
"We will play a final against Lyon," Nuno said after the defeat in Russia. "I believe we won't fail at Mestalla."
The problem is that they will also depend on the result in the other game. With all their spending over the past two years, Valencia's project is very much dependent on Champions League football and what looked like a certain place in the second round is no longer a guarantee.
Nor is qualification for next season's competition. Currently in seventh spot in La Liga and still worryingly inconsistent, Los Che travel to direct rivals Sevilla on Sunday and then face Barca, Villarreal and Real Madrid in the weeks ahead along with the vital game against Lyon.
Five weeks that will establish the future of this expensive project - and also the future of Nuno on the Mestalla bench.
Willian can set new Champions League record - Juninho
By Tom Webber
Nov 28, 2015 15:37:07
The former Lyon midfielder is impressed by that his fellow Brazilian has matched his Champions League record for goals from direct free-kicks
Juninho Pernambucano believes his compatriot Willian is on course to beat his record of four free-kick goals in one Champions League campaign.
Juninho scored four goals directly from set-pieces while representing Lyon in the 2005-06 season, while Chelsea's Willian reached the same number with his strike against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
The former Vasco da Gama midfielder is proud the Chelsea man has matched his tally and backed him to set a new record.
"It's good it's a Brazilian, and from this new generation of good players we have," Juninho told Brazilian daily Globo Esporte.
"It is very gratifying for me because when I scored these four goals, no one said anything.
"I'm being remembered by what Willian has achieved, and I think he has everything to beat the record.
"The Champions League has barely reached half way and Chelsea still have a few more games to play."
Real Madrid v Malmo: Benitez thrilled to see ´BBC´ finding form
6 December 2015
Real Madrid head coach Rafael Benitez is encouraged to see his 'BBC' strike-force on form ahead of their Champions League match at home to Malmo on Tuesday.
The Santiago Bernabeu side have won four consecutive matches since their thumping 4-0 loss to rivals Barcelona in El Clasico last month.
Madrid are appealing their disqualification from the Copa del Rey after fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz, but they have no such worries in the Champions League, with first place in Group A already secured before this final match.
That comfort means Benitez has the flexibility to make changes if he wishes after a 4-1 win over Getafe on Saturday that saw Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema (twice) and Cristiano Ronaldo all on target.
"Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema found each other and got themselves on the score-sheet and have every reason to feel pleased about that," he said.
"By getting all three points with a great first-half display, we saw that when these players, who are so important to us, are getting into their stride and achieving good mutual coordination, they really hurt defences.
"The three of them worked hard for the team and have every reason to feel pleased about that. It is important that they play well and score goals and that will help them keep their morale high."
Benitez suggested Marcelo (groin) was likely to be fit to face Malmo, while also giving Danilo (foot) the all clear.
"I spoke to the doctor and he told me that Marcelo still didn't have the all-clear," he said.
"He completed the session before the game, which is always a more controlled session. On Saturday he trained and did well again, indicating that he will probably be available against Malmo, but the Getafe game was too early.
"He is improving and what we want is to protect a player who first got injured and then did so again. Danilo had his foot trodden on and he felt it, but in the end it was nothing."
Malmo still have a Europa League spot to play for in a game that will be Age Hareide's last in charge of the club.
To finish third, they must secure a better result in Madrid than Shakhtar Donetsk get away to Paris Saint-Germain. If both sides lose, the Ukrainians will go through by virtue of their better head-to-head record.
Malmo defender Rasmus Bengtsson is suspended, while the fitness of goalkeeper Johan Wiland (head injury) will be determined ahead of kick-off.
Wolfsburg v Manchester United: Van Gaal expects defensive hosts in European decider
6 December 2015
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects Wolfsburg to play defensively in Tuesday's crunch Champions League clash in Germany.
United are under extreme pressure going into the game. They know a win would see them progress to the last 16 as Group B winners, but failure to do so will see them eliminated if PSV better their result at home against CSKA Moscow.
Hosts Wolfsburg only require a draw to progress past the group stage for the first time in their history, while a victory would guarantee they finish top of the group.
Van Gaal believes the requirements of both teams mean Wolfsburg are likely to set up with a defensive strategy.
"Yes, we can win because we have also won at home against them," he said after a frustrating 0-0 Premier League draw against West Ham.
"But that was a difficult match and I know that also Wolfsburg shall not attack too much because with a draw, they continue and we are dependent on PSV.
"Every match, we have chances and, in our European matches, we have created more chances than in the Premier League matches. We know we have to score in Wolfsburg.
"We have to play against a very good team. I am convinced we can do it but we have to be more composed in front of goal."
The Bundesliga side have won both of their two home games in the campaign so far without conceding, while United only have one point from their two away fixtures.
Van Gaal's men therefore need as many key players as possible fit to play, but Paddy McNair and Morgan Schneiderlin have emerged as fresh fitness doubts.
Wayne Rooney (ankle) is already a doubt, while Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera, Phil Jones and long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia have also been missing.
"Paddy McNair has an ankle problem and Schneiderlin is a little bit stiff in the hip, so we have to wait and see as always on that," said the Dutchman.
“I hope they can play on Tuesday but it is a very short [turnaround] so it is a very big question mark. Playing on Saturday, resting on Sunday and travelling on Monday is not ideal for a Tuesday match but we have to cope."
Van Gaal is hopeful experienced Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger can prove an inspiration in his first match back in his homeland since swapping Bayern Munich for United.
He added: "The reason why we have bought Schweinsteiger is that he is a player who can lead or guide a team. That is important – not only his football qualities – but that he can lead and guide a team on the pitch.
"I believe that every match that he plays he can play better because until now we have not seen the best Schweinsteiger that I have seen at Bayern Munich, but he can guide the team."
Wolfsburg suffered a dramatic 2-1 home loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday and are not on a strong run of form domestically, winning only one of their last four in the league.
But Luiz Gustavo (back) has returned to training after missing three matches, Julian Draxler is fit again after an adductor injury and Robin Knoche (ankle) was fit enough for the bench against Dortmund.
Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach: Plenty at stake in Group D finale
6 December 2015
Manchester City's hopes of topping a Champions League group for the first time hinge on Tuesday's visit of a resurgent Borussia Monchengladbach side hoping to snatch third in Group D and a place in the Europa League.
City have already booked their place in the last 16, but they require Juventus to lose at Sevilla as well as a win of their own at the Etihad Stadium against their Bundesliga opponents.
Successive eliminations at the hands of Barcelona has been City's fate in the past two seasons having failed to top their groups.
They will be desperate to avoid another early clash against one of Europe's heavyweights, although their weekend fortunes could hardly have contrasted more to those of Gladbach.
Manuel Pellegrini's men were soundly beaten 2-0 by Stoke City while Andre Schubert's side halted Bayern Munich's unbeaten start to the Bundesliga campaign with a 3-1 win.
Schubert's only defeat since taking over at Borussia-Park in late September came against City in the reverse fixture, but Pellegrini will be without key trio Sergio Aguero (foot), Yaya Toure (muscle) and captain Vincent Kompany (calf).
The Chilean said of the players' respective returns: "I don't know, but for Tuesday, no. We don't know [about next weekend], it depends how they recover during the week.
"[Against Stoke] we were playing with the same players in the last three games, maybe it's the reason we didn't play with energy.
"It's difficult because we are the only team involved in all the competitions and we have to play again on Tuesday. If we had the full week to recover maybe it would be easier but we have to play again with the same players."
Gladbach's upturn in fortunes has continued since Schubert was made permanent coach following an interim spell, with his side still in with a chance of European football in 2016.
A victory at City, coupled with a Sevilla win over Juve, will ensure third place, and a buoyant mood is coursing through the Gladbach ranks after their weekend success.
"We've gained a lot of confidence in the last few weeks and we'll go to Manchester with good belief in what we can do," United States full-back Fabian Johnson told the Bundesliga website.
"We have nothing to lose against them, just like we had nothing to lose against Bayern. We absolutely want to be in Europe in the New Year.
"We play with guts going forward and we don't hide in games. A lot of teams just sit back and shut up shop against Bayern but we played the way we wanted to play.
"That's what's marking us out at the moment and we're getting our rewards for it. But even a win like this only gives us three points so we need to keep up the hard work and give 100 per cent again against Man City."
Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona: Toprak admits hosts´ chances are low
7 December 2015
Bayer Leverkusen's place in the Champions League is hanging by a thread going into their home game against holders Barcelona and Omer Toprak admits they only have a slim chance of qualification for the knockout stages.
Leverkusen have to secure a famous win if they are to progress to the knockout stages, with three outcomes still possible – qualification, a third-place finish and Europa League spot or complete elimination from continental football.
The Bundesliga side are third in Group E on five points, level with Roma, who have a superior head-to-head record. BATE, who travel to the Italian capital in the group's other match, are also still in contention on four points.
The European champions, meanwhile, have already secured first place in the group having picked up 13 points from their opening five matches and smashed Roma 6-1 in their last game in the competition.
Leverkusen do not go into the match in good form either, having won only once in their last seven games in all competitions and suffering a 2-1 defeat at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.
Toprak wants Leverkusen to give everything in Wednesday's clash, but is aware the odds are stacked against them in their bid to progress.
"We have to analyse the game against Hertha and look at our mistakes," he told the club's website.
"We cannot afford to make the same mistakes versus Barcelona. Obviously, we realise that we have a very small chance to progress but we want to make the most of that small chance."
Given that top spot is already secure for Barca, Luis Enrique has the flexibility to make changes to his line-up for the game. Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta have been rested, while Dani Alves (suspended), Jeremy Mathieu (thigh) and Sergi Roberto (ankle) are all out.
Roberto Hilbert (knee) returned to the pitch for the first time in two months against Hertha but Lars Bender (ankle) is out.
History is not on Leverkusen's side ahead of the match as the last six Champions League clashes between the two teams have all been won by Barca, including a 7-1 thrashing in the 2011-12 round of 16 which featured five goals from Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez, who scored a late winner in the reverse fixture between the two sides, has particularly enjoyed this competition since arriving at Camp Nou, scoring 12 goals and providing an additional five assists in 15 appearances.
Sevilla v Juventus: Allegri aiming to build momentum and seal top spot
6 December 2015
Ahead of their Champions League clash with Sevilla, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his side to keep building momentum following a testing start to the season.
Last season's finalists, already assured of a place in the Champions League last 16, recorded their fifth successive victory in all competitions as they beat Lazio 2-0 on Friday to move up to fifth place in Serie A.
Sevilla, meanwhile, are already out of the competition, and sit bottom of Group D having lost their last four Champions League games – the worst European sequence in their history.
However, Unai Emery's side have started to find some form domestically, winning five of their last six home games in all competitions, including victories against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
And Allegri is under no illusions that Tuesday's trip to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan will be an easy one – insisting that Juventus are determined to get the point needed to seal top spot in the group, with Manchester City sitting just two points behind them in second going into the final round of fixtures.
"We're coming off a positive period of form, but we have to keep the enthusiasm and momentum going," he said, while also commending the breadth of attacking options he currently has at his disposal.
"Mario Mandzukic and Paulo Dybala did well [against Lazio], but Juan Cuadrado and Alvaro Morata also made an immediate impact coming off the bench.
"Dybala scored a great goal and is improving in that role, proving all his quality. Mandzukic did a lot of the dirty work and contributed to both goals.
"We'll need everyone this season and it pains me to make certain decisions, but I am only allowed to start 11 players. Every player must stay focused on being at their best for the next game."
Sevilla are playing for more than just their pride, though, with a place in the Europa League – which they have won in the last two seasons – still up for grabs if they can snatch a victory and Borussia Monchengladbach fail to beat City in the group's other fixture.
One player in particular looking to make an impact will be Fernando Llorente, who moved from Juventus to Sevilla in the last transfer window.
The former Athletic Bilbao striker has netted three goals for Sevilla in La Liga, but is yet to open his Champions League account.
Another key player for the hosts could be midfielder Ever Banega, who is set to make his return to the first team following a calf injury.
Sevilla will definitely be shorn of Marco Andreolli (ankle) and Beto (knee), along with Daniel Carrico and Gael Kakuta (both hamstring).
Hernanes will miss out for the visitors as he serves the second game of a two-match suspension, with Roberto Pereyra and Sami Khedira (both thigh) also absent.
PSV v CSKA Moscow: Dutch champions eye qualification-clinching win
6 December 2015
PSV host CSKA Moscow in their final Champions League Group B fixture knowing a win is enough to send the Eredivisie title holders into the knockout phase.
Phillip Cocu's PSV have fate in their own hands on Tuesday, despite going into the matchday six contest in third place, two points adrift of Wolfsburg, who host second-placed Manchester United.
If Wolfsburg were to beat Manchester United, who were held to a goalless draw by PSV last month, then a draw would be enough to see PSV into the top two and through to the next round.
Although they will go into the match as clear favourites, PSV's progression is not certain due to their poor record against Russian opposition in recent years.
CSKA, who lost 2-0 at home to Wolfsburg last time out, beat PSV 3-2 in Moscow earlier in the Group B campaign and the Dutch side lost home and away to both Dinamo Moscow and Zenit last season.
However, PSV have not lost a home match since March and will be confident of sealing a knockout berth.
PSV head into into the crunch clash on the back of a 1-0 league win against Vitesse thanks to Jorrit Hendrix.
"The way we win is what [makes us] happy, but this is a great feeling for Tuesday," Cocu said.
Russian league leaders CSKA need a positive result in Netherlands to avoid finishing bottom of the section, which would be the third season in a row they have ended the group stage in fourth place.
But CSKA go into the fixture on the back of five defeats in their last six matches in all competitions, prompting head coach Leonid Slutsky to admit: "Given the number of matches we have lost, I would say we are facing a crisis."
CSKA's lead atop the Russian standings has been cut to six points as the winter break starts, while PSV are unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions and are just four points behind Eredivisie leaders Ajax.
Cocu will be without Luciano Narsingh, who picked up an injury in PSV's last Champions League fixture, although Florian Jozefzoon is close to a return.
CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is looking to arrest an unwanted run of 36 Champions League matches without a clean sheet, his last shutout coming against Arsenal in November 2006.
Valencia v Lyon: All eyes on Neville as Spaniards face must-win clash
7 December 2015
Gary Neville will take charge of his first match as head coach on Wednesday, with Valencia facing a must-win clash in their bid to qualify for the Champions League knockout round.
All eyes will be on Neville as Valencia welcome already-eliminated Lyon to the Mestalla, needing to win the final Group H fixture to stand any chance of leapfrogging Gent into the next stage.
England assistant coach Neville was named as Nuno Espirito Santo's replacement on December 2 and takes over a Valencia side, who are assured of a Europa League berth in third position - a point behind second-placed Gent - hoping the Belgians fail to beat leaders Zenit.
Valencia head into the midweek encounter full of confidence, having held Spanish and European champions Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla, where Neville watched from the stands as interim boss Voro oversaw proceedings.
"He was a great player for Manchester United. Now it will be time to pull together," Valencia midfielder Danilo told en.valenciacf.com.
"Even with a change of coach, my feeling is the same and I am focused on playing.
"We all know Wednesday's game is one that will define our lives. I think the team will make the most of the game and I think it will be a great match."
Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, whose Valencia have lost back-to-back Champions League fixtures, added: "We will receive Gary Neville in the best possible way and we will do our best to work well with him.
"The match on Wednesday will not be an easy match, but we have to be focused."
There is nothing but pride at stake for Lyon, whose elimination was sealed following their 2-1 loss at home to Gent last month.
Lyon - on a five-match winless streak in all competitions - are also looking to avoid making it through a Champions League group stage without a win for the first time in the French club's history.
Roma v BATE: Nainggolan wants flawless performance
7 December 2015
Radja Nainggolan wants a flawless performance from Roma when they attempt to defeat BATE and seal progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Rudi Garcia's men sit second in Group E ahead of matchday six with five points from as many games and will book their ticket to the next round with a win at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
Roma have been struggling to find their best form in recent weeks, though, and Nainggolan is desperate to end their four-game winless streak when the Belarusian side arrive in the Italian capital.
"I think the good times will return. We have belief in the squad, we're a strong group and we're just waiting to get back to winning ways," the Belgium international told reporters.
"Wednesday's Champions League match will be tough, just as the match against Torino was. We have to approach it with the same desire and determination.
"We know we have to win to go through, so we'll knuckle down and try to secure the points against BATE.
"We were playing well up until a couple of games ago and things don't just vanish overnight.
"We're on the right track and working on things. We just have to keep grafting to produce a flawless performance."
Roma will still be without Mohamed Salah due to an ankle injury, while Francesco Totti is unavailable due to a thigh problem. Gervinho, meanwhile, could also miss Wednesday's encounter after picking up a thigh problem in the 1-1 Serie A draw with Torino on Saturday.
BATE would have given themselves little hope of progressing from Group E after they were paired with Barcelona, Roma and Bayer Leverkusen earlier this year, yet they still have every chance of making it to the next round.
If they win at the Stadio Olimpico and Bayer Leverkusen fail to claim all three points at home to Barcelona, BATE will progress to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Aleksandr Yermakovich's men face a tough task to see off Roma, though. They recorded a shock 3-2 win in the reverse fixture, but have won none of their five away games in the competition this season (including qualifiers), losing the last three.
Furthermore, BATE have been involved in four matches away at Italian opposition previously and they did not score a single goal across those fixtures (drawing one, losing four).
Wednesday's encounter will be a reunion for BATE's Aleksandr Hleb and Seydou Keita of Roma, who played together at Barcelona in 2008-09.
Gent v Zenit: Belgians in pole position to qualify
7 December 2015
Belgian title holders Gent are a win away from the Champions League knockout round as they prepare to host Zenit.
Gent have been Group H's surprise package after taking seven points from their five fixtures to occupy second position heading into Wednesday's fixture.
But with Valencia - only a point adrift - hosting already-eliminated Lyon on the final matchday, there is no room for a slip-up.
Gent are assured of place in the Europa League at the very least and victory over Zenit would send the Belgians through, while they would also qualify if Valencia fail to beat Lyon.
Andre Villas-Boas' Zenit have been among the most impressive teams in the Champions League so far, winning all five of their matches to ensure they will finish as Group H winners.
Zenit will equal Spartak Moscow's Russian record of winning all their group matches and go into the trip to Belgium as strong favourites.
But former Chelsea manager Villas-Boas admits there are some "strange emotions" and "negative feelings" in his squad as the defending Russian champions are in fifth place, seven points from the top of the league following two matches without a win.
"The Champions League is different. We feel very positive, it's a historical record for us, trying to equal Spartak's six wins, and we feel positive emotions in the Champions League," he said.
"We try to motivate the players the same, Certainly, more in the Russian championship because in the Champions League we have no such problems.
"We started the season on June 20 and the team are a little tired. We are a small team, when we have injuries or suspension we suffer as we have a small squad."
Villas-Boas will be without suspended midfielder Axel Witsel for the sold-out Gent match, while Belgium international defender Nicolas Lombaerts returns to the club he played for between 2004 and 2007.
Gent have fitness doubts over Lasse Nielsen and Danijel Milicevic.
Gent coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck was relieved after his side squeezed past Zulte Waregem and qualified for the quarter-finals of the Belgian Cup in their last fixture.
"Everyone was too preoccupied with themselves," he said.
"It did not work and then was there someone else pointed instead of continuing work on the field. That cannot be," he said following the 2-2 draw, which brought an end to a four-match winning streak.
"If it does not fails then you have to fight for your team. I'm disappointed that I did not see that."
Galatasaray v Astana: Europa League spot up for grabs in Group C
6 December 2015
Galatasaray and Astana face-off for the chance to qualify for Europe's second-tier competition in their final Champions League Group C fixture on Tuesday.
The Turkish giants welcome Astana to Istanbul, with the hosts a point clear in third position and only requiring a draw to book a spot in the Europa League heading into matchday six.
Galatasaray's hopes of finishing in Group C's top two were ended when they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon last time out, while Astana held Benfica to a 2-2 draw.
Kazakh champions Astana are yet to earn a point on the road but they have drawn all three of their home fixtures to remain in the hunt for Europa League football.
New Galatasaray coach Mustafa Denizli, who replaced Hamza Hamzaoglu last month, will be looking to mark his return to the club with a European victory.
On Friday, Galatasaray beat Bursaspor 3-0 at home to break a run of five games without a win in all competitions.
Gala are traditionally strong at home in European competitions, losing only six of their last 23 matches in front of their home supporters in the Champions League and Europa League.
Selcuk Inan and Burak Yilmaz are available after serving suspensions but Hamit Altintop remains on the sidelines and Jason Denayer is also injured.
Baurzhan Dzholchiyev is serving a one-match ban for Astana.
Denizli's men will go into the match as strong favourites, with stars such as Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski likely to be key, but Astana will be full of confidence after recently defending their Kazakh league title.
When the teams met in the second round of Group C fixtures, three late own goals ensured Gala returned to Istanbul with a 2-2 draw.
Hakan Balta, Nenad Eric and Lionel Carole all put the ball through their own net as Astana, a club that was founded just six years ago, claimed their first ever point in the Champions League.
Off the field, the two clubs enjoy a close relationship having signed a memorandum of cooperation in 2014, with Astana aiming to learn from Gala's experience on the European stage.
Dynamo Kiev v Maccabi Tel Aviv: Hosts seek to end 16-year wait
7 December 2015
Dynamo Kiev will secure their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in 16 years with a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian side must win at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Complex to guarantee second place in Group G. All three points, coupled with a draw in the match between Chelsea and Porto, will see them progress as group winners.
Dynamo sit third on eight points, two points behind the Portuguese and English clubs, who occupy first and second respectively.
Serhiy Rebrov's men are on a five-match winning streak in all competitions after thrashing bottom side Metalist Zaporizhya 6-0 in the Ukrainian Premier League on Friday.
They have conceded just once during that run and are top of the table, ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk on goal difference, going into their mid-season break.
Dynamo were semi-finalists in 1998-99 and reached the defunct second group stage the following season, but have not progressed beyond the group stages in the competition's current format and their past form at this point of the tournament will be the only cause for concern coming into this must-win encounter.
They have only tasted success in three of their last 17 games at home, drawing both encounters this season - 2-2 with Porto and 0-0 with Chelsea.
Nevertheless, Dynamo have kept clean sheets in 18 of their 25 matches so far this season and will fancy their chances against a Maccabi side that have scored just once in this season's Champions League.
The Israeli club's solitary strike came courtesy of the in-form Eran Zahavi in the 3-1 home defeat to Porto on matchday Four.
The Israel international carries his side's greatest threat, as they look to secure their first ever point in the group stage of this competition, having scored 10 goals in his last 13 games for club and country.
Slavisa Jokanovic's men are the only team to have lost all five group matches this season, conceding 15 goals along the way, but will be looking to restore some pride in their final match of the campaign.
They have enjoyed better domestic fortunes, however, winning seven of their last nine games in the Israeli Premier League to sit top on goal difference.
Defender Tal Ben Haim will be suspended for their trip to Kiev after being sent off in the 4-0 defeat to his former club Chelsea on matchday five, while Dejan Radonjic remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Shlomy Azulay is also doubtful after picking up a hamstring knock in the 0-0 draw at Hapoel Kfar-Saba on Saturday, while the fitness of Artem Kravets is Dynamo's only injury worry.
