N.E.C. Nijmegen hosts Olympiacos Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM local time in the Goffertstadion for the return leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw in Athens, giving the Dutch side a slight advantage heading into this crucial match.
Who is missing for N.E.C. and Olympiacos?
Dick Schreuder misses three defenders for this match due to injuries: Perr Schuurs, Bram Nuytinck and Yassin Moslih. For Olympiacos, Balša Popović is expected to start in goal, while Yusuf Yazici remains on the sidelines. Panagiotis Retsos was subbed off in the 64th minute of the first leg following an injury. Zinedine Smajlovic and David Carmo could start as centre-backs, while Mehdi Taremi has not been named in Olympiacos' squad for the match.
Which attackers are available for N.E.C.?
In addition to the expected attacking partners Tjaronn Chery and Bryan Linssen, Kaj Sierhuis, who has already scored two goals this season in two appearances, and Dusan Tadic provide extra attacking options for Schreuder's side. Vito van Crooij and Koki Ogawa have not been included in the squad.
What is the story behind this meeting?
The winner of this encounter between N.E.C. Nijmegen and Olympiacos advances to the final playoff round, where they will face the winner of Union Saint-Gilloise versus Bodo/Glimt. Olympiacos has failed to win in their last four matches, including pre-season games, and suffered a 3-2 defeat against AZ Alkmaar earlier. The Greeks struggle to score in the Eredivisie, as N.E.C. failed to find the net against Ajax, Antwerp and themselves in the first leg.
Where can you follow this match?
For viewers in the United States, there is no traditional television broadcast; authorized bookmaker streams are the only way to follow the Champions League qualifying matches. In Greece, the game kicks off at 8:30 PM local time, while Dutch viewers can tune in at 7:30 PM local time. The match starts at 1:30 PM Eastern Time and 10:30 AM Pacific Time.
Conclusion and follow-up
N.E.C. Nijmegen aims to preserve the advantage from the first leg and advance to the next round of the Champions League. With attacking options like Kaj Sierhuis and Dusan Tadic available, Schreuder will attempt to break down Olympiacos' defense. The match coincides with a period where Schreuder's side struggles to score, having managed only one goal in their last three Eredivisie games. The outcome determines whether the Dutch side continues their European dream or returns to national competitions.
