No introduction is really necessary when someone talks about Ryan Giggs. One of football’s greatest names, with many titles and achievements in his spectacular career!
About 12 years ago, he was there when Olympiacos had last faced Manchester United, for the UEFA Champions League. Now, after all that time, he returns to Greece, once again as an opponent to our team and shares with us his thoughts and feelings about the two great games to come!
The last time Manchester United met Olympiacos was back in 2002. You were present at that match. Now, 12 years later, your team is going to visit Greece again and you with Rio Ferdinand are the only players who continue with the team after all these years. Your feelings?
It’s hard to believe it was 12 years ago! It’s great to go back after so long, and Greece is a beautiful country. Once you get to this stage of the Champions League it becomes really exciting we are all looking forward to both legs.
What do you remember from the matches against our team back in 2001 and 2002?
Yes I remember the home game in 2002 very well – probably because I scored 2 goals (laughs), I think we won the away leg 3-2.
Do you think you will meet a more competitive and experienced Olympiacos, in comparison with the one of 2001 and 2002? How different do you expect our team to be?
Yes I think it will be a much more competitive and experienced Olympiacos, they did well in their games in the group stages. Once you get to this stage of the competition you know that there are not going to be any easy matches.
It is the first time that you will play versus Olympiacos at the “G. Karaiskakis” stadium, a “burning” stadium. Do you expect this fact to play an important role?
It’s always great to play in a stadium with a good atmosphere, we know the Olympiacos fans are going to be cheering their team on, we also have a good set of travelling fans which will make for a great atmosphere.
Which are the Olympiacos players that, in your opinion, stood out during the group stage? Have you watched our team play?
Yes Mitroglou and Saviola have played very well, obviously Mitroglou now plays in the Premier League, but we know this match is going to be a tough tie, Olympiacos have a strong team and the atmosphere in the stadium is going to be electric.
