PSV Eindhoven must beat Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday and hope that Fenerbahce loses at home in order to advance to the knockout stage.
That's a tall order for a team that lost 4-2 at home against Roda JC in its last league game Friday, and is missing top striker Danny Koevermans because of a strained hamstring.
But PSV coach Jan Wouter said his side has a lot to be thankful for.
With Inter already assured of first place in group G, coach Roberto Mancini is expected to take the opportunity to swap out top players with substitutes.
Inter is sure to be without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic _ who has five Champions League goals already this season _ due to a suspension.
David Suazo and Hernan Crespo will likely take the place of Ibrahimovic and the team's other usual starter, Julio Ricardo Cruz.
Reserve goalkeeper Paolo Orlandoni is expected to start, with Marco Materazzi _ who recently returned from thigh surgery _ also getting playing time to help his recovery.
Wouter didn't mince words about his team's league defeat to Roda, calling it "thoroughly deserved."
"We left too much space, we lost balls, we were unable to switch between offense and defense," he said.
But he said Wednesday's game provided an opportunity to turn things around.
"We're certain to play some kind of European football after the winter break, and we still have a chance to reach the second round of the Champions League," he said.
Fenerbahce plays CSKA Moscow, which has already been eliminated. Fenerbahce leads PSV by one point and would win a head-to-head tiebreaker, meaning the Turks will still advance if they lose and PSV only manages a draw.
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