Atletico Madrid set to play PSV in empty stadium

MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Atletico Madrid can progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League Wednesday by avoiding defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

But if it does achieve passage to the next round, it won't be celebrating in front of its home fans after UEFA ordered the game to be played in an empty stadium.

Atletico's first closed match at the 55,000-capacity Vicente Calderon stadium is the result of racist and violent behaviour by its fans in an Oct. 1 win against Marseille.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre will also miss the Group D clash as he finishes serving a two-match ban.

"It's a bad feeling," defender Luis Perea said. "To play a match behind closed doors is the worst punishment you can give a club."

Atletico stands to lose up to 1 million euros ($1.3 million) in gate receipts and more than 37,000 season ticket holders will also miss out. The 300-plus journalists in attendance will outnumber each team's staff of 75.

PSV said hundreds of fans are expected in the Spanish capital despite not being allowed in the stadium.

"Playing behind closed doors changes nothing in our preparations," PSV coach Huub Stevens said on Tuesday. "What I regret is that the PSV fans aren't able to experience it."

History is on Atletico's side after the Spanish club triumphed 2-1 over Celtic in a closed match in 1985. But the absence of home support could help the Dutch club, which can still advance despite lying last in Group D with just three points.

"It's an important game for both clubs and I'm not sure if having no public gives us an advantage," Stevens said. "What is clear is that the ambiance is going to be very different."

PSV will have to deal with Atletico's potent attack featuring Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, as well as Simao Sabrosa and Maxi Rodriguez who have proved excellent providers for their strikers.

However, it is Atletico's shortcomings at the back that will worry coach Aguirre.

A dubious injury-time penalty in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool cost it early qualification for the last 16 in its previous Champions League outing and a penalty given away by Perea during injury time on Sunday allowed Numancia to score the equalizer and force Atletico to settle for a 1-1 league draw.

"We can't think about the mistakes. We have to think that this isn't going to happen again," Perea said. "We've always responded at the difficult moments."

Liverpool, which like Atletico has eight points, can also advance by avoiding defeat to Marseille.

PSV has never won in 10 previous matches on Spanish soil, registering six defeats. Aguero scored twice in a 3-0 victory in the teams' first meeting and a second defeat will eliminate PSV from the last 16.

Stevens added 17-year-old youth team player Funso Ojo to cover for injured defenders Dirk Marcellis and Jan Kromkamp.

PSV, which is fifth in the Dutch league, got a boost Saturday when it beat Heracles Almelo 4-0 -- scoring all four goals in the first half -- allowing Stevens to rest key players ahead of the Atletico game.

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