Olympiacos prepares for decisive Champions League return leg against NEC Nijmegen

Olympiacos is finalizing its preparations for the crucial second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at 20:30. Following a goalless 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, the Greek team must secure a victory in the Netherlands to advance to the next round. Manager Jose Luis Mendilibar has indicated that he plans to adjust the starting lineup to improve upon the team's lackluster performance in the previous encounter.

Key team updates include the return of midfielder Santiago Hezze, who recovered from an ankle injury sustained during a friendly against AZ Alkmaar. Defender Lorenzo Pirola, who provided stability after being substituted into the first match, is expected to start alongside Panagiotis Retsos. Other potential changes involve the inclusion of Gelson Martins and Diogo Jota, while the right-back position remains contested between Rodinei, Saliakas, and Maffeo. The squad is set to travel via the Weeze airport to reach their destination. Mendilibar emphasized the need for a stronger collective belief and better performance, noting that the extra week of training has allowed the team to integrate new players more effectively.