Preview: Atlético v Olympiacos
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Article summary
Olympiacos FC coach Míchel does not expect "flowers and applause" as he visits his home town but he could earn a hero's return if his side win at Club Atlético de Madrid.
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• The teams are first and second in Group A going into matchday five
• Diego Simeone is keen to avoid the pitfalls of their last meeting
• Atlético have taken maximum points since losing 3-2 at Olympiacos in September
• Atlético have won 19 of their last 21 games at home in UEFA competition
• Olympiacos coach Míchel's record against Atlético with Real Madrid: W15 D5 L5
Permutations: Atlético (9pts) v Olympiacos (6)
• Atlético will be through with a win – or with a draw if Juventus lose.
• Olympiacos can only progress on matchday five if they win and Juventus draw.
Possible lineups
Atlético: Moyá; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Ansaldi; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Arda Turan; Griezmann, Mandžukić.
• Out: Miranda (hamstring)
• Doubtful: Mandžukić (neck)
Olympiacos: Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Botía, Abidal, Masuaku; Maniatis, Milivojević, N'Dinga, Afellay; Domínguez; Mitroglou.
• Out: Giannoulis (abdomen)
• Doubtful: Durmaz (thigh)
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
Olympiacos are a very strong team at home and our defeat there was no surprise to me. They competed very well in Malmo and Turin too and we expect more of the same. We have to focus on the present, though, and tomorrow's match is the only thing that matters to us.
With intensity we will have the performance we want. Mario Mandžukić wants to play despite his injury. He is a very brave boy and gives us a lot of strength. It would be very difficult to tell him not to play.
Olympiacos are dangerous from set pieces and we will have to find a better way of avoiding problems [than on matchday one]. It's important to work on an opponent's strengths. I appreciate Míchel's praise. He is doing a very good job in Greece.
Míchel, Olympiacos coach
It would be great if we could repeat our display against Atlético in Athens. We will insist on doing some of the things that got us a good result there. If you look at our games in the UEFA Champions League, our game plans are always very similar.
I would be very surprised if Atlético's fans welcomed me with flowers and applause. It's normal they pick on me to support their team. Simeone's work is irreproachable and Atlético are an unwanted rival for any team.
This competition is letting us play at the same level as other great sides. We are playing very well but it is not always enough. We were not expected to be among the best but we are and that means we are doing well. We are playing against great players and even winning matches. I like my players.
Weekend results
Atlético 3-1 Málaga CF (Tiago 12, Griezmann 42, Godín 83; Santa Cruz 64)
Olympiacos: no game
Form guide (all competitions)
Atlético: WLWWWW
Olympiacos: WLDDWW
Match facts
• Who are the only Greek team to have won at Atlético? Find out in our extensive match background.