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Champions League Preview: AZ - Olympiacos

The Dutch titleholders need to pick up the full three points against Olympiacos if they are to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League...

Nov 23, 2009 1:06:55 PM

CL: Olympiakos - Alkmaar / Torosidis - Schaars (INTIME)

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CL: Olympiakos - Alkmaar / Torosidis - Schaars (INTIME)

Teams

Kick-Off: Tuesday, November 24, 20:45 CET.
DSB Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands.

The Matchday 1 fixture between the sides came just a day after Olympiacos had parted company with Temuri Ketsbaia, with new coach Zico looking on from the stands. It remained deadlocked until the 79th minute, when Vasilis Torosidis headed in Jaouad Zairi's cross to give the home team the win.

Elimination Looming

AZ’s situation in Group H of the Champions League is somewhat inclement after four matches played. The Dutch titleholders have yet to record their first victory of the campaign and sit last in the table with only two points.

Nevertheless, the Alkmaar outfit still have a slight chance to make it into the knockout phase. They need to win their remaining two games against Olympiacos and Standard Liege, while the aforementioned teams have to lose their fixtures against Arsenal.

The Eredivisie side need to put in more consistent performances if they are to qualify for the last 16. They have been impressive in some games of late, but needed extra-time to defeat an amateur side in the KNVB Beker and have already lost six league games this season.

AZ have lost just once in 35 home games in UEFA club competition, starting a long sequence of unbeaten matches on their home European debut in September 1977. Their only loss took place on December 20, 2007, when Everton won 3-2 in the UEFA Cup group stage at the AZ Stadion.

Chance To Progress

Olympiacos, who won the Greek league and cup double once again last season, will book their place in the next stage of the competition with a win here, assuming Arsenal manage to defeat Standard.

With six points to their name, a win would take them seven points clear of this week’s opponents and five ahead of the Belgian outfit if results go their way. Having been crowned champions of the Greek League every season since 1996-97 (aside from the 2003-04 campaign), they will be keen to continue their impressive form in the Champions League.

However, head coach Zico’s men haven’t exactly been impressive in their past couple of matches and they need to up their level if they are to win in Alkmaar. Olympiacos haven’t won a single game since they beat Atromitos on October 31.

The Greece powerhouse have failed to register a victory in their four previous away games against teams from the Netherlands and are yet to score a goal. They avoided defeat only in their first visit - a 0-0 draw against Ajax in the 1983-84.

FORM GUIDE

AZ

November 21 v Roda (A) – WON 4-2 (Eredivisie)
November 8 v Feyenoord (H) – DREW 1-1 (Eredivisie)
November 4 v Arsenal (A) – LOST 4-1 (Champions League)
October 31 v Groningen (A)- WON 1-0 (Eredivisie)
October 28 v Spakenburg (H) – WON 5-2(aet) (KNVB Beker)

Olympiacos

November 21 v PAS Giannina (A) – DREW 2-2 (Super League)
November 7 v Iraklis (H) – DREW 1-1 (Super League)
November 4 v Standard Liege (A) – LOST 2-0 (Champions League)
October 31 v Atromitos (A) – WON 1-0 (Super League)
October 27 v Panserraikos (A) – LOST 3-1 (Greek Cup)

TEAM NEWS

AZ

Head coach Ronald Koeman doesn’t have any suspended players at the moment, but he will be without some key men due to injury.

Striker Mounir El Hamdaoui is unavailable due to a hamstring problem, while Graziano Pelle will miss the match due to knee worries. Additionally, defender Kew Jaliens can’t participate in Tuesday’s game due to concussion.

Forward Moussa Dembele missed the league encounter with Roda due to flu and is doubtful for the game against Olympiacos.

Possible Starting-XI: Romero; Swerts, Moisander, Moreno, Pocognoli; Wernbloom, Mendes da Silva, Schaars, Martens; Lens, Holman.

Olympiacos

As was the case in Matchday 4, the Greeks have a number of problems to deal with on the injury front.

Matt Derbyshire continues with his struggles to overcome a groin injury. Andreas Vasilogiannis will be out for the next five months due to a serious knee problem. Leonardo, Vasilis Torosidis and Cristian Ledesma are being plagued by knee troubles too.

Luciano Galletti, Diogo, Leonidas Panagopoulos and Avraam Papadopoulos are all expected to miss out on Tuesday’s game due to various injury worries.

Possible Starting-XI: Nikopolidis; Galitsios, Zewlakow, Mellberg, Raul Bravo; Maresca, Stoltidis, Dudu; Oscar Gonzalez, Zairi, Mitroglou.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AZ – Jeremain Lens

With the absence of attackers such as El Hamdaoui and Pelle, it’s up to Lens to lead the AZ front line. The quick forward put in a sensational performance in Saturday’s 4-2 league victory and will be more than happy to continue his fine form against the Greeks. Lens has scored one Champions League goal so far.

Olympiacos – Kostas Mitroglou

The 21-year-old hitman has to stand up this week and ensure he does the damage up front for the Greeks. With his defenders leading the way for the bulk of the campaign to date, the starlet will need to continue to build on his three goals from eight Champions League outings to help his side record what would be a crucial victory.

PREDICTION

It promises to be an evenly balanced encounter, very similar to the match in Greece back in September. AZ deserved more than a loss back then and the Alkmaar side will be gunning for revenge. Olympiacos are without several key players due to injury and haven’t been too impressive lately. I therefore see the Dutch titleholders entering the race for qualification for the knockout phase with a win.

AZ 2-1 Olympiacos

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

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