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Preview: Malmö v Olympiacos

Åge Hareide pulled no punches before Malmö FF's tie with Olympiacos FC but opposite number Míchel did not rise to it, focusing on building on a stunning matchday one win.

Åge Hareide was in bullish mood ahead of matchday two
Åge Hareide was in bullish mood ahead of matchday two ©Getty Images

Åge Hareide says Olympiacos are more Malmö's "level" than the other Group A sides
Olympiacos beat 2014 runners-up Club Atlético de Madrid on matchday one
Swedish league leaders Malmö are 12 games unbeaten at home in all competitions
Leandro Salino poised to return from thigh injury suffered ahead of the Atlético game
Olympiacos boss Míchel wary of Enoch Adu, Magnus Eriksson and Markus Rosenberg

Possible lineups
Malmö: Olsen; Tinnerholm, Johansson, Helander, Ricardinho; Kroon, Adu, Halsti, Forsberg; Thelin, Rosenberg.
Doubtful: Thern (broken fibula), Halsti (groin)

Olympiacos: Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Botía, Abidal, Masuaku; Milivojević, Kasami; Maniatis, Domínguez, Afellay; Mitroglou.
Out: Siovas (thigh), Fuster (groin), Benítez (thigh), Salino (thigh)

Åge Hareide, Malmö coach
I think we have a good chance – we had a particularly great home record in qualifying. Olympiacos did well against Atlético [on matchday one], especially in front of goal. Atlético had more of the ball and dominated. Olympiacos are not as strong as Juventus and are more on our level.

In their domestic league Olympiacos are used to dominating, but against Atlético they didn't – they won due to good finishing and some not-so-good defending. Teams from Greece are not as good away as they are at home. I met them as Norway coach back in 2007 and there was a huge difference between when we played them at home and in Greece.

When I came here in January, [sporting director] Daniel Andersson told me I could get Markus [Rosenberg]. I wanted to meet him to make sure he was still hungry, but it took only ten seconds. I could see he had the passion and commitment – some people are made for the big games.

Míchel issuing instructions a fortnight ago
Míchel issuing instructions a fortnight ago©Getty Images

Míchel, Olympiacos coach
I agree with Åge Hareide: Malmö are favourites. I respect Åge, but we are here to prove that we belong among the elite. If Åge is as good on the touchline as he is at press conferences, we will have a few problems. I don't feel that Åge's quotes will hurt me or the players. It's just a bit of fun.

I grew up learning to respect the opposition. I learned mostly from Real Madrid. I also learned that while the coach is important, the players are the most important. Malmö have good players in Adu, Eriksson and Rosenberg. They have a dynamic system and play well. They will have to wait, though, until they have played Juventus and Atlético at home before they speak about how good the teams are.

Weekend results
Malmö 4-1 Mjällby AIF (Forsberg 45 70 90, Rosenborg 65; Blomqvist 39)
Atromitos FC 1-0 Olympiacos (Karamanos 29)

Form guide (all competitions)
Malmö: WWDLDL
Olympiacos: LWWWDL

Match facts
• Which member of the Olympiacos squad spent four years at Malmö between 2008 and 2012? Find out in our comprehensive match background.