NEC vs. Olympiakos: Champions League Qualifier in Nijmegen

What Happened

N.E.C. played the return match of the third qualifying round for the Champions League against Olympiakos Piraeus. The first leg in Greece concluded with a 0-0 score.

Background

The match took place in Nijmegen at Stadion De Goffert. NEC fans gathered in the city and at the stadium hours before the game. The club had a waiting list of 7,000 supporters for season tickets, indicating high demand. NEC's progression to this stage is considered remarkable, having played in the second tier of Dutch football just five years prior. Significant investments by Marcel Boekhoorn, along with contributions from technical director Carlos Aalbers and the coaching staff, are cited as factors in the club's recent success. Improvements were made to Stadion De Goffert to meet UEFA requirements for the Champions League qualifiers, including upgraded lighting, an expanded press tribune, a larger away section, new seating, and field adjustments.

Key Facts

• The first leg between NEC and Olympiakos in Greece ended in a 0-0 draw.
• NEC's lineup for the home match included experienced forwards Bryan Linssen, Dusan Tadic, and Tjaronn Chery.
• Philippe Sandler and Tobias Storm were also in the starting lineup for NEC.
• Olympiakos made three changes to their starting lineup compared to the first leg, with Lorenzo Pirola, Santiago Hezze, and Gelson Martins included.
• Olympiakos's starting lineup was: Popovic; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Bruno; Garcia, Sá, Hezze; Martins, El Kaabi, Silva.
• NEC's starting lineup was: Crettaz; Storm, Sandler, Fonville; Ouaissa, Nejasmic, Lebreton, Bischoff; Chery, Linssen, Tadic.
• Bram Nuytinck was part of NEC's match selection for the return game, returning from an ankle injury.
• NEC supporters set off fireworks near the Olympiakos hotel the night before the match.
• NEC fans collected at a café called de Tempelier in Nijmegen.
• A potential opponent for NEC in the next round, if they advance, would be the winner of the match between Bodø/Glimt and Union Saint-Gilloise.
• NEC had a 1-2 loss against Telstar in their previous league match.
• Olympiakos had not played a league match the weekend prior to this qualifier.