UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round
Olympiakos Piraeus 0 - 0 FT NEC Nijmegen
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
11' D. Carmo
HT
46' ↓ J. Roca ↑G. Martins
56' ↓ D. Carmo ↑L. Pirola
56' ↓ Chiquinho ↑Jota Silva
57' ↓ M. Saliakas ↑P. Maffeo
64' ↓ P. Retsos ↑Z. Smajlovic
67' D. Garcia
↓ T. Storm ↑B. Pereira 70'
↓ S. Ouaissa ↑E. Mor 70'
↓ B. Linssen ↑D. Tadic 74'
↓ P. Sandler ↑I. Hansen-Aaroen 74'
↓ J. Monteiro ↑W. T. Willumsson 90'
W. T. Willumsson 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Olympiakos Piraeus
Goalkeepers
Balša Popović 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Manolis Saliakas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
57
Total Mins
57
Entry
Panagiotis Retsos 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
David Carmo
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Onyemaechi Bruno 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Dani García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christos Mouzakitis 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
Rodinei
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Chiquinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
56
Entry
Joel Roca
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Ayoub El Kaabi 
MAGNET
44
Activity
44
Activity
22
Passes
22
Duels
BENCH
Stefan Ortega 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Dimitrios Stournaras
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alexandros Tsompanidis
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Lorenzo Pirola
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Pablo Maffeo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
36
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Zinedin Smajlović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gelson Martins
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
48
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gustavo Sá
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lorenzo Scipioni
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christos Filis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kostas Fortounis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jota Silva
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
NEC Nijmegen
Goalkeepers
Gonzalo Crettaz 
OCTOPUS
5
Saves
5
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Tobias Storm
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Philippe Sandler 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
Deveron Fonville
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Sami Ouaissa 
DRIBBLER
6
Dribbles
6
Dribbles
7
Attempts
86%
Success %
Jamiro Monteiro
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Darko Nejašmić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Clement Bischoff
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
6
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Noe Lebreton
MAGNET
49
Activity
49
Activity
33
Passes
16
Duels
Bryan Linssen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Tjaronn Chery
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Freek Entius
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Joep Geneste
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Brayann Pereira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thomas Ouwejan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Isak Hansen Aarøen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Willum Thor Willumsson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
3
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Emre Mor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dušan Tadić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kaj Sierhuis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Kers
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07/27/2024 | NEC Nijmegen | 0 - 2 | Olympiakos Piraeus | Friendlies Clubs | RivaKids Sport BSO Maurik |
07/27/2024
Olympiakos Piraeus Win
NEC Nijmegen Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Goalkeeping Masterclass Denies Breakthrough in Athens
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 16/100. Massive Stakes in this Champions League qualifier fuelled a frantic shootout where the goalkeepers emerged as the undisputed heroes.
Frantic Search for an Advantage
The night air at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium crackled with anticipation as Olympiakos Piraeus sought to establish an early foothold. Edging possession with fifty-three percent of the ball, the Greek giants attempted to impose their will on the contest. However, NEC Nijmegen refused to play the role of passive visitors. The Intensity was off the charts from the opening exchanges, turning what could have been a cagey qualifying tie into an end-to-end spectacle. Despite both sides struggling to carve out clear-cut opportunities inside the six-yard box, they peppered the goal from all angles. A combined twenty-five shots rained down over ninety minutes, proving that both managers set their teams up to find a crucial advantage rather than simply protect a clean sheet. Yet, for all their offensive endeavour, neither attack possessed the clinical edge required to shatter the deadlock during the chaotic early phases.
The Midfield Battleground
As the match wore on, the narrative shifted from sheer attacking volume to a fascinating tactical stalemate orchestrated in the middle of the park. This is where NEC's Darko Nejašmić truly shined, delivering a commanding performance that disrupted the hosts' rhythm. Operating alongside Jamiro Monteiro, the Dutch side established a rugged defensive shield while launching rapid counter-attacks. The Balance of power swung violently from one end to the other, testing the mettle of both defensive lines. Whenever the Greek side managed to bypass the midfield press, they collided with a resilient backline and inspired shot-stopping. Conversely, NEC's thirteen total shots forced Olympiakos onto the back foot on multiple occasions. The physical toll of the pressing game led to twenty-seven combined fouls, underscoring the raw desperation driving both squads in this crucial third qualifying round clash.
A Standstill with Everything to Play For
Ultimately, the true pivot of this encounter was not a tactical masterstroke, but rather an absolute refusal to concede. The resolution arrived in the form of spectacular athletic defiance, specifically from Olympiakos goalkeeper Balša Popović. He produced four crucial saves to keep his team firmly in the tie, matching his opposite number save for save. With nine saves combined between the two custodians, the strikers were left utterly frustrated by the final whistle. The lack of a true Upset on the night means the tie remains perfectly poised. Neither side secured the vital aggregate lead they craved, leaving the door wide open for a dramatic second leg. Our take? The Dutch side will be thrilled to leave Greece unscathed, while Olympiakos must figure out how to convert shot volume into actual scoreboard pressure when they travel for the return fixture.
Key Questions
Who were the standout performers?
Darko Nejašmić controlled the midfield for NEC alongside Jamiro Monteiro, while Balša Popović starred in goal for Olympiakos with four key saves.
Why did the match end in a draw?
Despite twenty-five combined shots, exceptional goalkeeping resulted in nine total saves, completely nullifying both attacking units over ninety minutes.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Greek Giants Poised to Crush Dutch Dreams
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 56/100. A heavily tilted qualifying tie that looks like a straightforward hurdle for the home side on their path to the Champions League proper.
The Setup
August 04, 2026, brings a brutal reality check to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Olympiakos Piraeus hold all the cards in this UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round clash. The metrics point to a completely one-sided affair. A dismal Balance rating reflects a colossal gap in quality, with the Greek heavyweights expected to dominate possession and territory. For NEC Nijmegen, stepping into this cauldron requires a monumental defensive shift, but their lack of continental pedigree might easily be exposed. The modest Stakes suggest the hosts can handle this tie without hitting top gear, while a remarkably low Stars rating indicates a gritty, workmanlike fixture rather than a showcase of individual brilliance.
Key Battle
The core struggle lies in the center of the park. Olympiakos dictate the tempo through S. Hezze and C. Mouzakitis, who act as the undisputed engine room for the Greeks. NEC Nijmegen's midfield unit faces a grueling evening chasing shadows. If the Dutch side cannot disrupt the rhythm of the Greek playmakers, the visitors will find themselves pinned back inside their own penalty area for 90 minutes.
Our Prediction
Olympiakos will suffocate NEC from the opening whistle. Expect the home side to secure a comfortable 2-0 victory, using their superior tactical organization to build a commanding aggregate lead ahead of the tricky return leg in the Netherlands.