Joel Campbell and Jose Cholevas, two of our players who lined up against Manchester United in “G. Karaiskakis” Stadium, spoke to OlympiacosTV ahead of the historic match against the English outfit at the Old Trafford on Wednesday March 19 for UEFA Champions League round-of-16.
Joel Campbell
Olympiacos flies to England carrying first match’s 2-goal lead (2-0). Will the first match be the beacon for this encounter or are we talking about two different matches?
I believe that these two matches are completely different, but I hope we have the same result. I wish we won and qualify. We know very well that we are very close to achieving something great.
You have scored in the first leg with a splendid shot from outside the box. How did you feel at that moment? Do you hope to score again in the return match in England?
The moment I scored that goal I felt overwhelmed with happiness, because I knew that netting a second one and holding a 2-0 win over Manchester United meant a lot. I hope we make use of this 2-0 and fly to Manchester in order to complete the task and qualify. Certainly, I hope to score again. Hopefully, I or one of my teammates will do it and help us take the result we want, thus making it to Champions League final 8.
How do you feel about playing is such a monumental stadium as the Old Trafford? How much important will our fans support be during the match since they are expected to fill the stands?
Performing in this stadium is extremely important. I believe it is every player’s dream. It is one of the most beautiful stadiums and we hope as many as possible of our fans will come, stand by our side and give us their support. This is the only way to take the last step and qualify to the next round of the Champions League.
What’s your message to our side’s supporters?
The squad will give everything in the pitch in order to make it to the next round. So, we will be all together and try to give our supporters great joy.
Jose Cholevas
You were one of the players who stood out in keeping a clean sheet in the first leg. How much easy or difficult will it be to do the same in the fixture in England?
We have to do the same like in the first match, especially now in the away match. We have to give everything, but first and foremost we have to respect them. We have a 2-0 advantage over Manchester United, but this means nothing. Everything may happen in a football match, especially in the Old Trafford, where the atmosphere is great. It will be a very difficult encounter and we have to be careful and play as a solid team.
How do you feel about playing is such a monumental stadium as the Old Trafford? How much important will our fans support be during the match since they are expected to fill the stands?
I have been in many fantastic pitches since joining Olympiacos. The Old Trafford is something different, as it is when playing against a major club like Man. United. We had some great moments in England despite losing matches; however we realized that we can face them. Particularly, having our fans there will be incredible, since they drive us forward to win and I love that.
You have already made the first step to entering Europe’s top 8 sides. Are you ready for the second one?
I would be lying if I said no. I believe we are ready for that. Everybody knows what we have already accomplished in the pitch and what remains to be done now. I think we are ready for this fixture and prepared to give our best in order to make it through to Europe’s top 8 clubs.
What’s your message to our side’s supporters?
Drive us to the win like they always do; they know what’s the best thing to do.
Watch both players speaking to OlympiacosTV in the following video:
