‘We are Olympiakos,’ warns coach Bandovic
Bordeaux is the next challenge for Olympiakos in soccer’s Champions League tonight, as the Greek champions enter the round of 16 with a tricky home game. This first leg (9.45 p.m., live on Mega) could give the Greeks the advantage for their first quarterfinal appearance in the competition since 1999, but has to be approached with great caution against the champion and current leader of the French league. Manager Bozidar Bandovic admitted he will change his team’s formation from 4-3-3 to a more defensive system. «We will choose a strategy that will lead us to qualification, but above all we have to be disciplined throughout the 90 minutes in such games,» said the Olympiakos coach at yesterday’s press conference. «This is a very important match for us, we are Olympiakos,» he added emphatically. The hosts will be missing Brazilian striker Diogo, who is likely to miss also next month’s action after picking up an injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Ergotelis. Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc insisted that each team has a 50 percent chance of going through, rejecting any notion that his side is the favorite. «We know that Olympiakos will put pressure on us, but we have to keep hold of the ball,» he said.
