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NEC’s solid draw with Olympiakos fuels confidence ahead of Nijmegen return
NEC produced a disciplined 0-0 draw against Olympiakos in Piraeus on Tuesday evening, a result that leaves the Dutch side confident ahead of the return match in Nijmegen. The encounter featured ten chances for each team, yet neither side could find the net.
Olympiakos, the record champions of Griekenland, seized the initiative in the opening phase, but NEC‑keeper Gonzalo Crettaz was rarely called into action. The Greek side later dominated possession on their half, with Sami Ouaissa heading the ball onto the post before captain Tjaronn Chery was caught offside.
Japanese midfielder Kodai Sano, who travelled with the squad to Piraeus, withdrew from the match on his own request, prompting Dick Schreuder to start the recent PEC Zwolle signing Jamiro Monteiro in midfield. Dusan Tadic, another summer acquisition, began the game on the bench alongside veteran forward Dusan Tacic.
In the final ten minutes before halftime Crettaz made crucial saves from Brazil’s Rodinei and Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi, after which Monteiro and Noé Lebreton generated dangerous chances for the Nijmegen side. The Montenegrin goalkeeper Balša Popović also produced a fine stop for Olympiakos.
Sano’s sudden exit leaves NEC scrambling for Champions League hopes
The second half saw Olympiakos press again, but NEC held firm despite a few tense moments. Monteiro came close to opening the scoring, while Tadić entered the field a quarter of an hour before full‑time, yet the score remained unchanged.
After the final whistle Olympiakos supporters expressed their displeasure, and the clubs now look to the return leg on Tuesday at 19:30 in the Goffertstadion. The winner will advance to the play‑offs for a place in the Champions League group stage, where a clash with Union Saint‑Gilloise or Bodø/Glimt awaits.
This was NEC’s first European fixture since 26 February 2009, when former manager Mario Been’s side lost 1‑0 to HSV in the UEFA Cup. The historic context adds weight to the current campaign.
Other notable participants included defender Philippe Sandler, who remained on the pitch after an hour, and Turkish international Emre Mor, making his NEC debut. Former Olympiakos winger Gelson Martins, a 31‑year‑old Cape Verde‑born player with 15 goals for the Greek club, also featured. © Pro Shots / Toin DamenDe. Olympiakos PiraeusOLYeinde00N.E.C.NECChampions. LeagueNEC and NijmegenNEC fixtures now set the stage for the next chapter. GroenstegeSportredacteur4 highlighted the balanced chances, ten‑to‑ten (5‑5 on target). The match was a true test between the Grieken and the Dutch, with both sides showing resilience. De