Olympiakos embrace pressure before decisive NEC return

Olympiakos striker El Kaabi says the Greek side are under pressure to score when they face NEC in Tuesday evening’s decisive Champions League return. The first meeting in Piraeus ended 0-0, a result which prompted criticism in the Greek press and left qualification hanging in the balance.

The Moroccan forward admitted he had not anticipated a goalless opening leg between two attack-minded teams. While Olympiakos would welcome an early breakthrough, he stressed that only progression matters, even if the decisive goal arrives from a penalty in extra time. El Kaabi also described NEC as an attacking team with enough quality to trouble any opponent.

Olympiakos coach Mendilibar declined to reveal his tactical approach but acknowledged that his team had performed poorly in the first game. He believes an additional week of training, along with more time for players to develop an understanding, can help produce the improvement required. “If we play better than last week, then a result is possible,” he told the Greek press, as reported by VI.

The Greek club had no weekend fixture, giving Mendilibar time to watch NEC’s 2-1 home defeat by Telstar. Despite that loss, he noted that the Nijmegen side continued to follow their usual style and remained capable of changing the game until the closing stages. Mendilibar expects NEC to maintain that approach, accepting the risks that come with it, while Olympiakos seek the victory needed to advance.