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Champions League

Olympiakos coach praises Schreuder's playing style: 'He has

Olympiakos coach José Luis Mendilibar spoke about NEC's distinctive style of play and the importance of focusing on his own team's performance in the Champions League clash.

11 August 2026
Olympiakos coach praises Schreuder's playing style: 'He has

Olympiakos coach praises Schreuder's playing style: 'He has it

According to Vi.

Context

José Luis Mendilibar, coach of Olympiakos, has extensive experience in high-level competitions, including the Champions League. He is known for his focused approach to developing his own team's capabilities, which will be tested against the NEC. The performance of players like Christos Mouzakitis and Emre Mor will also be watched as they could be crucial to Olympiakos' success at this stage of the competition.

Why this matters

The match between Olympiakos and NEC is crucial for both teams as they are looking for a place in the Champions League play-offs. José Luis Mendilibar's performance as coach will be fundamental for Olympiakos to overcome the difficulties faced in the pre-season. The ability to focus on your own team, rather than being distracted by Dick Schreuder's style of play, will be vital to success in this elite competition.

Main conclusions

  • Olympiakos coach praises Schreuder's playing style: 'He has it.
  • Olympiakos coach José Luis Mendilibar spoke about NEC's distinctive style of play and the importance of focusing on his own team's performance in the Champions League clash.
  • Trainer Olympiakos looft Schreuder: 'Hij heeft een heel eigen speelstijl'.

José Luis Mendilibar, coach of Olympiakos, expects a very different game than usual in their next Champions League match against NEC, scheduled for this Tuesday. At a press conference, Mendilibar commented on the remarkable approach of Dick Schreuder, the NEC coach, who is known for having a very peculiar style of play. "The most important thing is what we do," said the Olympiakos coach, stressing that his team must focus on their own skills and not just the opponent's.

Olympiakos and NEC are competing to secure a place in the Champions League play-offs, which makes this clash even more significant. Mendilibar expressed respect for the opposing team, describing them as "a brave team". "I've known Schreuder since his time at Castellón, where it was said that his way of playing was different. He really has his own style," said the coach.

Despite the difficulties Olympiakos faced during pre-season, Mendilibar believes the preparation games were beneficial. "These training games helped us grow. I hope that tomorrow we can show that we are ready for this challenge. Having the opportunity to compete in Europe's main club competition is a huge motivation. It will be difficult, but I'm looking forward to it", he added.

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Christos Mouzakitis, a young midfielder aged just 19, was also present at the press conference and expressed his expectations regarding the clash. "We know NEC are a good team, but our preparation games against Dutch teams were useful. It's crucial to start at home as our fans will give us a lot of energy," he said.

When asked about the NEC players he knows, Mouzakitis referred to two summer signings: Emre Mor and Dusan Tadic. "Tadic is a legend, I grew up watching him. It's an honor to play against players like him", he concluded, highlighting the respect that young players have for the competition's veterans.

The game will take place at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, starting at 8pm. A week later, the two teams will meet again, this time at De Goffert, for the second game of the tie.

What happens next

With the match scheduled for this Tuesday, Mendilibar hopes that Olympiakos will show progress in relation to the preparatory games. The expectation is that the team will be able to apply its strategy and adapt to NEC's peculiar style. The result of this clash could determine Olympiakos' future in the Champions League, a competition that brings prestige and significant opportunities for the clubs involved.

Frequently asked questions

What happened at the Olympiakos coach's press conference?

José Luis Mendilibar praised NEC coach Dick Schreuder's peculiar playing style and highlighted the importance of his team focusing on their own skills.

Who confirmed the peculiarity of Dick Schreuder's playing style?

José Luis Mendilibar, coach of Olympiakos, confirmed that Dick Schreuder has a very different style of play.

Why is this game significant for Olympiakos and NEC?

The game is significant because both teams are competing to secure a place in the Champions League play-offs.

What changes do Olympiakos hope to implement in the next game?

Mendilibar hopes his team will show they are ready for the challenge after benefiting from warm-up games during pre-season.

What are Christos Mouzakitis' expectations for the clash against NEC?

Christos Mouzakitis expressed his expectation that the preparation games against Dutch teams were useful and highlighted the importance of starting well at home.

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