Martins: “We take the Europa League very seriously”

The two respective head coaches, Pedro Martins and Mikel Arteta, shared their expectations for the UEFA Europa League knockout duel between Olympiacos and Arsenal in Piraeus.

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Initially, Olympiacos began the continental campaign in the UEFA Champions League, dropping down into the Europa League after finishing in third place of Group B between Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal, for their part, won their respective Europa League group, but they have since sacked Unai Emery in favour of Mikel Arteta. 

Olympiacos and Arsenal have met on eight previous occasions.

Pedro Martins is expecting a great match at the Karaiskakis Stadium: 

Expectations for the match: “In my opinion, we should expect a great match. I went to see our pitch. Congratulations to our stadium and pitch staff, who are among the best in Europe. Whoever will come here tomorrow will watch a fantastic game of football.”

Conclusions drawn from watching Arsenal up close: “Arsenal have a great team, Mikel Arteta has added some new elements to their game. I think that they will probably be stronger at home. The break in the English Premier League doesn’t seem to have affected them at all.”

The starting 11 in Piraeus: “I haven’t decided yet. Everyone except Hillal Soudani can play.”

Loss of Daniel Podence and Hillal Soudani: “Of course, they were really important players for us, but we still have alternatives. We can fill their void with work and adaption.”

Upcoming derby against PAOK in the Super League: “We take the Europa League very seriously. At this moment in time, all of our focus is on Arsenal. The game against PAOK is far away. Afterwards, we’ll look at the next match, which is also key. However, now our priority is Arsenal. We will analyse PAOK later.”

Similarities between Arsenal and Tottenham: “They are two completely different teams with their own respective philosophies. Tottenham have experience and physicality, while Arsenal have young players with very good technique. They have no similarities. We are well prepared for two very tough games, but in order to play well tomorrow, we need our fans by our side. Any team finds it difficult against us at this stadium. Our only home defeat in the last 12 games was against Bayern Munich, a club fighting to win the Champions League. If we play with courage and bravery, we have a great chance of beating a very good Arsenal side.”

Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, pointed out that Sokratis Papastathopoulos has warned the Gunners of the dangers of playing in Greece:

His first European match as Arsenal boss: “Well, it's another big competition for us. The run that the club has been through in this competition and last year as well makes it really important for the objectives that we have for the season, and we know the type of game we are expecting tomorrow. Sokratis Papastathopoulos has made us even more aware of that, if we had any doubts. We have to be ready.”

Factor of having Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the team: “He knows everything about Olympiacos, about the country, about the type of fans that we are going to find here. I've been very aware from the games that I've watched about them and their passion, their quality and the atmosphere that we are going to have to be playing in tomorrow. So yes, it's a difficult trip away from home and we're going to expect a tough game and we've prepared for the game knowing that it's going to be a difficult challenge.”

Extra motivation for maiden continental game: “Well, I'm really excited. Obviously it's my first game in Europe managing the club. I've been watching them a lot and they're a team that are so used to dominating domestically and the style of play that they have, they feel really comfortable with that type of game. When you travel to Europe, the type of games are completely different to the Premier League and we have to adapt and be able to play the type of game that tomorrow's opponents require and that's what we've been working on. Every competition is going to give us the chance to play in Europe one way or another and we have to maximise all the opportunities we have. But it's just a game, we want to come anywhere in Europe or in England with the mindset and with the attitude to win. To play, play, play - and win.”

Thoughts on Olympiacos: “I would say that collectively it's a team that seems very alive. They have a very clear idea of what they want to do, they don't really play in relation to the opponent. They have very clear principles of how they want to play and they try to execute them against any opponent, whether they are a big club in Europe or a smaller team in the domestic league. That's what I like the most. Obviously they have some individual qualities that we are going to be really aware of, but I've been highly impressed with the level of the collective function of the team.”
Possible interest in Konstantinos Tsimikas: “Sorry, but I won’t comment on players who are not playing for us.”

By: Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sport-fm.gr

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