By: Peter Katsiris
After a convincing performance in their UEFA Europa League second qualifying round tie against KS Besa Kavaje, things should get a little tougher for Olympiacos FC when Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC visit the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium on Thrusday (21:30, novasports1).
A seemingly easy ticket into the third qualifying round was redeemed by the Piraeus giants last week as Ewald Lienen's men put together an emphatic second half performance to ultimately emerge winners on a combined score of 11-1 on aggregate. Brushing their Albanian opponents aside with relative ease, the stakes might remain the same but the competition will certainly be intensified.
Although Olympiacos head into the tie as favourites, Thursday's tilt in the port city provides a perfect opportunity for the Erythrolefki to grab the tie by its horns. A strong performance at Karaiskaki, albeit an empty venue as the club serves the final fixture of a two-match crowd-ban, would certainly go a long way in deciding which side progresses to the play-offs.
With the summer transfer season still in swing, Olympiacos will begin to take shape as summer signings Albert Riera, Dennis Rommedahl, and Ariel Ibagaza have all been included in Lienen's eighteen-man roster.
Lienen, who has stressed his desire to remain firm in defense, will reportedly field a more attacking line-up in Piraeus on Thursday; news that is likely welcome for the club's beloved supporters. Strike partners Diogo and Matt Derbyshire are expected to start, with the latter playing a more advanced role in comparison to his Brazilian team-mate.
Diogo will lead an attack-minded midfield that is expected to include Kevin Mirallas and Rommedahl on the flanks, while Dudu and Enzo Maresca take a more central position in the midfield.
Olof Mellberg will lead the team in defense as he partners up with Francois Modesto in central defense, Giorgos Galitsios and Jose Holebas round out a back-line that continues to lack the presence of Greek stars Avraam Papadopoulos and Vasilis Torosidis -- the latter not making the cut for the first leg roster.
Their compatriot, however, Antonis Nikopolidis, returns to action as the former Greece international steps in between the posts for ‘O Thrylos' after sitting out the return leg against Besa last week.
night of firm defending should do Olympiacos fine, but efficiency will also be a priority. Should Olympiacos continue to play on the positives from last week, the return leg in Israel could be nothing more than a formality.
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