Olympiacos Coach: Europa League’s New Format is ‘Exciting’, We Aim to Compete

Olympiacos manager José Luis Mendilibar has expressed his excitement about the new Europa League format and his team’s ambition to be competitive. Speaking to Cosmote TV, he acknowledged the challenge of facing eight opponents in the group stage, including Rangers, Porto, Braga, Lyon, Qarabag, Malmö, Twente, and Steaua Bucharest. He highlighted Porto as a historical rival and Steaua’s own Champions League history. Mendilibar also commented on the presence of former Porto players like Carmo in the Olympiacos squad, noting their excitement to return to their previous club. He believes the new format adds complexity due to the uncertainty surrounding qualification requirements, but sees it as an interesting challenge. Mendilibar emphasizes Olympiacos’s desire to compete in every game, believing they can defeat any opponent with a strong performance. His ultimate goal is to lead the team to another Europa League final, following last season’s near victory.