Greek giants Olympiacos are looking forward to their battle with Melbourne Victory.
Greek giants Olympiacos are looking forward to their battle with Melbourne Victory and are intent on bringing a strong squad down to Australia for the battle at Etihad Stadium on May 19.
Speaking ahead of the clash Olympiacos manager Ernesto Valverde highlighted the need of plenty of his players to acquire match fitness and expected he would play a strong squad.
“We have many international players who must keep fit. They should keep training until their official games begin and this match sure helps, like in the case of Olof Mellberg,” Valverde said.
“The players who will travel to Australia are the players of Olympiacos. Bringing along other footballers in terms of training is of course a possibility but the players that we have in mind at the moment are those registered with the club.”
Valverde also felt the match would be a great opportunity for Australia-s Greek community to see one of Greece-s greatest clubs up close and personal.
“This trip is a great chance for us to see a place we have never visited before and a place so far away that it-s always difficult to travel to. We are happy to be going there because we know we will give the supporters of our team who live in Australia the chance to watch their beloved team from up-close,” he said.
“We know that the Greek community there is very significant. There are many Greeks who have never been given the chance to watch Olympiacos play and as we will have played all our official games by that time, we will have enough time to travel there; we are proud to be doing that and to be offering our fans the opportunity to attend this game.”
Arguably one of the more high-profile members of the squad, former Manchester United gloveman Roy Carroll said he expected his first trip to Australian shores to be a successful one, highlighting the importance of putting on a good show.
“I-m really looking forward to it. It-s been a long season and it-s a trip we should take, and go and play well, perform for all of our supporters in Australia and hopefully we can get a good result and come home with the win,” Carroll said.
“We know that these supporters haven-t seen us play for a long time so we want to go out there and play well for them; play well because they are going to come and watch us play and it is essential for us professionals football players to perform well in every game we play.”
To purchase tickets to the game on May 19 click here.
