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Football London
Football London
Sport
Rob Guest

Why Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins is 'not afraid' of Jose Mourinho and Tottenham

Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins has claimed his side are "not afraid" of Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss was confirmed as the club's head coach last Wednesday following the decision to part with Mauricio Pochettino 11 hours earlier.

Starting off with a 3-2 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday, the 56-year-old will take charge of his first game in N17 on Tuesday evening when they take on the Greek side.

Three points will seal the team's passage through to the next stage of the competition and Mourinho will be going all out to mark his first game on home soil in style.

Asked about coming up against his fellow countryman having gone head-to-head with Mauricio Pochettino back in September, Martins is well aware that his side face a tough game but it is one that will not faze them.

"We know Jose Mourinho, but it is the first time we play against him as a Tottenham manager, we don't know how he is going to set up his team, but at the same time he doesn't know how we are going to set up," he told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"We are here to represent Olympiacos, we are well aware that Tottenham are a very strong team and we know how tough it will be.

"But it is Olympiacos versus Tottenham. Mourinho is an excellent manager, we respect him but we are not afraid of him."

Olympiacos go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Panionios on Saturday, a result that saw PAOK draw level on points with them at the top of the Greek league.

The side's form on the road hasn't been the best this term but Martins has stated that his team are well prepared for the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"Tomorrow is a very important game and after we are expecting a reaction of the players," he added. "We worked hard to get to the group stage of the Champions League and we will do our best.

"We are here against a very big team but we have ambitions and we expect to act in a positive way.

"Four months ago if somebody said we would be in the group stages of the Champions League along with top teams and be top of the Greek league then no one would have believed you.

"We are very well prepared and that is why we are still in the Champions League and we are top of the Greek league.

"We have worked hard, tactics, everything will be physical. We have worked hard."

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