Chery: 'Every player just needs to be fit'
NEC captain Tjaronn Chery is not buying the narrative that his team's schedule is a problem ahead of Wednesday's Champions League return leg. "Every player just needs to be fit," he said, brushing off fatigue concerns (4). The tie is balanced at 0–0 after the first leg in Piraeus (2) (4) (5) (6).
Your team need a goal in Nijmegen. A scoreless draw means extra time and possibly penalties. NEC know a win puts them in the playoff round.
Schreuder warns: Olympiacos will punish you
NEC coach Dick Schreuder has been watching the tapes. He warned his players about a specific trap: "That's what they do very often, they let the opponent come and then hit on the counter" (5).
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He called your team "a very good side with a lot of individual quality." The respect is real, but Schreuder also confirmed he will have Tobias Storm and Bram Nuytinck available. Philippe Sandler is a doubt (6).
Final push for Salah-Eddine
Olympiacos are preparing one last contact to convince Anass Salah-Eddine to join (3). The left-back is a priority target, and the club want an answer. No deal yet, but the intent is clear: Mendilibar wants his squad locked before the season kicks off.
Ugalde link surfaces
Costa Rican striker Manfred Ugalde is on the radar. Spartak Moscow value him at around €12 million (1). Olympiacos are looking at attacking reinforcements, and the 24-year-old fits the profile. Nothing advanced yet, just a name to watch.