Olympiacos was not seen as one of the top second place teams to make a deep run in the Champions League. However, the team can feel more confident after drawing a mediocre Manchester United side in the round of 16.
The team's coach and players expressed delight about the draw and the challenge of playing in one of the world's most historic stadiums, but the truth is that they should be happy for more than that.
"We are very pleased to be part of this draw," Olympiacos coach Michel said, according to the club's official website. "There is nothing bigger to ask for. We know what is happening right now. It will be a huge celebration for football, our fans, the club and the people of Piraeus.
"As I have said, being here to play against Manchester United, such a historic club for world football, is something that we all deserve and nobody may take away from us the right to dream and aspire to do things the way we should," he added.
Manchester United has struggled mightily under manager David Moyes in the Premier League and also had its share of mediocre performances in the group stage.
Olympiacos was not perfect either and managed to finish second in a group that included Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Anderlecht; the team finished second mainly because it was able to overcome the Portuguese team, but seemed to display defensive weakness against PSG in its first game of the tournament. However, Olympiakos captain Avraam Papadopoulos expressed confidence in his team's potential.
"I think that getting to this point is a huge success in its own right. We want to enjoy what future holds for us and to give our best. I believe that our side has got potential. We see that the side is continuously improving," said Papadopoulos.
Who wins this round of 16 matchup: Olympiacos or Manchester United?
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