Greek press: «Olympiakos is clearly not prepared
According to Vi.
Context
Balsa Popovic stood out as the hero of the night, keeping Olympiakos' goal untouched, 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 advance in the Champions League. The lack of creativity and inability to convert opportunities into goals have 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 prepared.
- The 0-0 draw in Piraeus leaves everything open; Greek media point out Olympiakos' lack of creativity and praise Balsa Popovic's interventions against NEC.
- Griekse media: 'Olympiakos duidelijk niet klaar voor NEC'.
Olympiakos' 0-0 draw against NEC in the first leg played on Tuesday 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 adamant 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 they 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 taken advantage of the trip to the Netherlands”.
For its part, Sportday recorded a more intense final end from the Greeks, with increasing pressure and some promising moves, but highlighted that hasty decisions ended up compromising the best opportunities. The goal did not come and everything will be postponed until next week, in Nijmegen, where NEC and Olympiakos will decide the tie.
With the first leg null, the duel remains completely open. Remember that the away goals rule was abolished by UEFA, so if equality persists after 90 minutes of the second leg, there will be extra time and, if necessary, penalties. NEC, who signed a consistent second part 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 stake is access to the next qualifying phase of the Champions League, vital for the European calendar of both teams. After the NEC's solid response and Balsa Popovic's inspired night between the sticks, the pressure is now on the Greek side: in the generally fervent atmosphere of Nijmegen, any failure could be costly.
What happens next
With the next match scheduled for Nijmegen, Olympiakos urgently needs to adjust its offensive 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 result of the game 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 be the next game between Olympiakos and NEC?
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 difficulty
iculties in creating opportunities.