NEC, a tough challenge against Olympiakos
Why it matters
The match between NEC and Olympiakos Piraeus represents an important opportunity for the Dutch team to demonstrate its value in Europe. Facing one of the best teams in Greece, coming off a successful season, highlights the challenges Eredivisie clubs face in the context of international football. The results of this match could influence the perception of the NEC in the European landscape and their ability to compete at higher levels.
Key points
- NEC, a tough challenge against Olympiakos.
- The Dutch team NEC faces Olympiakos in a Europa League match.
- Analyse: say NEC verwachten van Olympiakos.
When NEC were drawn against Olympiakos Piraeus, fans greeted the matchup with cautious optimism. The trip to Athens contributed to this enthusiasm, but the sporting prospects are not bad either, considering the possible alternatives such as Olympique Lyon, Bodø/Glimt and Fenerbahçe. However, Olympiakos, who finished second in Greece last season, are the clear favorites in this double-header. Both the Euro Club Index and the Opta Power Rankings place Olympiakos, based on recent performances, among the sixty best teams in Europe. The team coached by José Luis Mendilibar is positioned in both rankings, higher than Feyenoord, Ajax and NEC. Last season, we saw how Olympiakos compares to top Dutch teams on the pitch: PSV, for example, played one of the worst matches of their Champions League campaign in Greece. "Olympiakos constantly put us under pressure. They almost never gave us time to reflect on our plays", analyzed Peter Bosz at the end of the match. Thanks to a last-gasp equaliser, PSV managed to save themselves. Ajax also recorded a home defeat against Olympiakos (1-2). These two matches have shown that Eredivisie teams struggle to deal with Mendilibar's particular playing philosophy. The Spanish coach, who led his club to victory in the Greek championship last season, is known for his ultra-intensive approach. His players are always alert and try to immediately regain possession of the ball as soon as they lose it. If an opposing team finds themselves in possession of the ball, they are immediately surrounded by multiple Olympiakos players, forcing them to handle the ball very quickly and make almost always successful passes, so as not to risk suffering a ball recovery. This tactic often leads Olympiakos to earn the maximum number of substitutions during matches, given that the players used in this type of pressing are forced to give their all and therefore the Spanish coach usually makes frequent substitutions. Even in Europe, Olympiakos tends to impose their game based on intensity and pressing, as also demonstrated in the only friendly test of this preparation, a 1-0 win against Salzburg, in which, according to their opponents, they were a real steamroller. For the NEC, therefore, it will be necessary to find countermeasures to this way of playing, completely foreign to what the players of the Dutch team are used to, which instead focuses on a more reasoned and less frenetic game.
What happens now
NEC will have to prepare intensely to face Olympiakos, trying to study José Luis Mendilibar's playing philosophy, which has put Dutch teams in difficulty in the past. The match promises to be a crucial test for the club, who will be hoping to secure a positive result to keep their hopes of progressing in the Europa League competition alive. The fans are eagerly waiting to see how the team will face this challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with the draw between NEC and Olympiakos?
NEC were drawn against Olympiakos Piraeus, sparking cautious optimism among fans.
Who confirmed Olympiakos' strength?
Olympiakos is considered the clear favorite in the comparison, as confirmed by the Euro Club Index and the Opta Power Rankings.
Why is the comparison between NEC and Olympiakos important now?
The comparison is important as Olympiakos proved to be successful against Dutch teams last season.
What changes can you expect in the NEC game?
The NEC may have to adapt their game to deal with José Luis Mendilibar's ultra-intensive philosophy.
What is Olympiakos' current position compared to other teams?
Olympiakos are positioned higher than Feyenoord, Ajax and NEC in recent rankings.
