NEC stunned by Telstar ahead of Tuesday's return leg
Your Champions League opponent just got punched. NEC Nijmegen lost 1–2 at home to Telstar in their Eredivisie opener Saturday (2) (3) (5). Tjaronn Chery pulled one back in the 55th minute, but Patrick Brouwer and Rui Mendes had already done the damage for the visitors (2). Kaj Sierhuis missed a penalty for NEC in the 67th, skying it over the bar (5).
Coach Dick Schreuder did not hide his frustration: "We begonnen gewoon slecht", we just started badly (6). "Het is wel irritant," he added. Irritating. The Dutch press called it a "doemscenario", a nightmare scenario, for Schreuder (5).
Chery subbed off early, not happy about it
NEC captain Tjaronn Chery was taken off in the 67th minute, right after Sierhuis missed the penalty. He did not look pleased. "Dat moet je aan de trainer vragen", you have to ask the coach about that one (4).
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But Chery was already looking past Saturday: "Tuesday's game is the most important. Then we really have to be there" (4). That is the return leg against your team.
The first leg was 0–0 in Piraeus
The tie is balanced on a knife edge. Olympiacos 0–0 NEC in the third qualifying round first leg at Karaiskakis, a result met with whistles from the home crowd (3). The return leg in Nijmegen is Tuesday (11/08). Score away and you are in the playoff round. A goalless draw means extra time.
Olympiacos chasing Cáceres and Cantillo for midfield
The club are working on two midfield targets. Olympiacos have opened contacts for Cáceres and Cantillo as they look to strengthen the spine before the window shuts (1). No deals yet, but the intention is clear.
