Greek press: «Olympiakos is clearly not ready
According to Vi.
Context
Balsa Popovic emerged as the hero of the night, keeping Olympiakos' goal inviolate, which could be crucial for the team's morale. His performance could influence the group's confidence and tactical approach for the second leg, where Olympiakos will need a much more convincing performance to guarantee continuity in the Champions League.
Why this matters
The 0-0 draw in Piraeus left Olympiakos in a delicate position in their quest to progress in the Champions League. The lack of creativity and inability to convert opportunities into goals raised concerns about the team's ability to compete at high levels. The pressure increases as the second leg approaches, where the Greek team will have to show significant improvement.
Main conclusions
- Greek press: «Olympiakos is clearly not ready.
- Draw in Piraeus leaves everything open; Greek media points out Olympiakos' lack of creativity and praises Balsa Popovic's interventions against NEC.
- Griekse media: 'Olympiakos duidelijk niet klaar voor NEC'.
Olympiakos' 0-0 draw against NEC in Tuesday's first leg in Piraeus sparked scathing criticism in the Greek press. Before the draw, the Dutch were seen as an accessible opponent; now, after 90 goalless minutes, warnings are multiplying that the Nijmegen team could very well block the Greek champions' path towards the next round of the Champions League.
The Fos daily, close to the club, was emphatic in recognizing that the Greek night fell short of what was required. «The Piraeus team is clearly not prepared for this and has a serious problem when it comes to creating chances. Olympiakos started strong, but lacked good final passing decisions. Upon resumption, the Dutch showed a different face: the NEC was more dangerous and active. Thanks Balsa Popovic to avoid greater evils», summarized the publication, highlighting the difficulties in defining the last third.
The Gazzetta portal also spared no attention, classifying the performance as «without ideas» and «without creativity», with the NEC conditioning and making the opponent suffer. According to the same source, the Piraeus team were the target of whistles at the final whistle, despite having preserved the goal inviolate «thanks to Popovic». The criticism extended to the wasted opportunity: in front of a full stadium, Olympiakos “should have had an advantage for the trip to the Netherlands”.
In turn, Sportday recorded a more intense endgame from the Greeks, with increasing pressure and some promising moves, but highlighted that hasty decisions ended up compromising the best opportunities. The goal didn't come and everything will be postponed until next week, in Nijmegen, where NEC and Olympiakos will decide the tie.
With the first leg score zero, the duel remains completely open. It is worth remembering that the away goals rule was abolished by UEFA, therefore, if equality persists after the 90 minutes of the return, there will be extra time and, if necessary, penalties. NEC, who had a consistent second half in Piraeus, gained arguments and confidence for the reception; Olympiakos, in turn, will have to show more imagination between the lines and greater quality in the last pass to transform possession and territoriality into clear opportunities.
At issue is access to the next qualifying phase of the Champions League, vital for both teams' European calendar. Following the NEC's solid response and Balsa Popovic's inspired night between the posts, the pressure is now on the Greek side: in the usually fervent atmosphere of Nijmegen, any slip-up could prove costly.
What happens next
With the next match scheduled for Nijmegen, Olympiakos urgently need to adjust their attacking approach. The team must work on defining plays and making decisions in the final third to avoid being eliminated by an opponent who, at first glance, seemed accessible. The expectation is that the Greek team will enter the field with a renewed mentality and more focus on creating opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the match between Olympiakos and NEC?
The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
How does the draw impact Olympiakos' Champions League qualification?
The draw leaves Olympiakos in a difficult position as they now face challenges in progressing to the next round.
Who stood out in Olympiakos' defense during the game?
Balsa Popovic was highlighted for avoiding major problems in defense.
When will the next match between Olympiakos and NEC be?
The next game will be next week in Nijmegen.
What were the criticisms of Olympiakos' performance in the game?
Criticism pointed out a lack of creativity and difficulties in creating opportunities.