Malmo FF vs Olympiakos Piraeus preview - Exciting homecoming for Durmaz

Posted Wednesday, October 01, 2014 by PA

Midfielder Jimmy Durmaz is relishing his return to the Swedbank Stadion on Wednesday night as Olympiacos take on his former team Malmo in Champions League Group A

The 25-year-old Sweden international played for Malmo for five years - making his breakthrough as a player and scoring 14 goals in 91 appearances - and admitted he was delighted when he heard the Greek side were drawn alongside the Sky Blues for the group stages.

He told www.uefa.com: "I was very excited to see Malmo in our group. That was my only wish for the draw really.

"It is my first season in the Champions League and I will return home to face Malmo in their first participation as well.

"The only thing missing from my career was not playing in the Champions League with them."

Olympiacos are second in the group standings on goal difference thanks to a 3-2 victory over last season's runners-up Atletico Madrid in their opener a fortnight ago.

The 41-time Greek Super League champions have enjoyed a good run of form of late - winning their previous three games.

They were, however, beaten at Atromitos on Saturday, a loss they will be hoping to recover from at Malmo.

Durmaz could line up against former team-mates Filip Helander, Markus Halsti, Simon Kroon, Agon Mehmeti, Ricardinho and Amin Nazari, and his inside knowledge of the club could be useful for manager Michel.

But the winger, who has taken part in three league games this season, admitted it is tough to get a spot in the starting line-up, saying: "Olympiacos have four wingers and competition for places is intense."

Striker Jorge Benitez has been ruled out of the tie with a thigh injury while midfielder David Fuster (groin) and Dimitris Siovas (thigh) join him on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, 2013 Allsvenskan winners Malmo, who are hoping for a home victory over the Greek giants, suffered a 2-0 defeat at Juventus two weeks ago and currently sit bottom of the group.

But apart from that European loss, Malmo have enjoyed a strong start to the domestic season and claimed a 4-1 win over Mjallby on Saturday.

They therefore head into the game against Olympiacos on the back of a three-match unbeaten run and in confident mood.

Captain Markus Rosenberg is looking forward to the clash and told www.mff.se ahead of the match: "We have good self-confidence."

Age Hareide's Swedish champions have doubts over midfield trio Finland international Markus Halsti (groin), Simon Kroon (foot) and Simon Thern (leg), who is yet to make his debut in the competition.