'This is the match of the season'

By Nick Teale

Arsenal have already qualified for the Champions League Knockout Stages as Group H winners but for Olympiacos it's still all to play for.

They need a point against the Gunners to claim seoncd place in the group. If they lose, Standard Liege could snatch that final spot in the last-16, dumping Olympiacos into the Europa League.

To find out just how important this game is for the Greek champions, we spoke to Kyriakos Kouroutsavouris from newspaper Filathlos.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FEVER
"This is maybe the match of the season for Olympiacos. They really want to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League because this would be a very good achievement and also very good economically for the club. They know if they get through it will be a great achievement."

THE STORY SO FAR
"They were very efficient in the first game at home to AZ Alkmaar when they won 1-0 and it was essential that they got a point in Holland [a 0-0 draw]. They played well at home and won 2-1 against Standard Liege. They are a team who can do well at home."

IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL
"I think the young players may struggle with the hostile atmosphere; Olympiacos can take advantage of the ground. They will also be helped by the return of Luciano Galletti on the right wing. With Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs missing Zico could exploit Arsenal in that position."

THE ONE TO WATCH
"The player that has made a big impact in recent matches is Kostas Mitrogiou. He scored two goals in the Athens derby against Panathinaikos and the second was an excellent strike. He's in very good form at the moment and he has a lot of confidence in himself. Olof Mellberg is a very solid defender, Dudu is essential in the midfield and if Galletti is fit he is very good in Europe, he raises his game for European competitions." 

THE MAN IN CHARGE
"Zico is a very popular manager. He is a Brazilian and he plays attacking football. He likes this style and Olympiacos fans want him to stay for a long time. In Greece you are judged by results. If you win the Super League you are good. If you do not win the league, you are not good. Olympiacos have won 12 titles in the last 13 years but they do replace their managers. They want the team to play well. But Zico has gained the heart of the supporters."

TALKING TACTICS
"They will play 4-4-1-1. That is the preferred formation of Zico, with Oscar Gonzalez playing just behind the striker. In his first season with the club he was a flop but under Zico he is a transformed player. He is one of the players under Zico who has raised their game."

[Wednesday, December 09, 2009]

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