Burnley manager Sean Dyche says tie still alive
August 30, 2018
Burnley manager Sean Dyche says that his team are still in the hunt for a place in the Europa League group stages.
The Clarets are back at Turf Moor for the second leg of their Europa League qualifying play-off, trailing Olympiakos 3-1 after the first game in Greece last week.
Dyche said it was understandable that Olympiakos would be the favourites to go through to the group stages with their lead, allied to the Clarets having some injury worries.
However, he insists there is everything to play for as well as calling for the fans to play their part.
He said: “We’ve been productive before when the challenge is against us, so obviously that is what we are looking to do.
“I think they (the fans) will be very important. I think there will be good numbers. I think they believe the tie is still alive, as we do.”
Burnley are 2.25 to win the game with Olympiakos 3.00 and the draw is 3.10.
Whatever happens to the Clarets’ European ambitions, they will be back to the Premier League at the weekend striving to recover after a poor start to the season.
They have just one point from their three games so far and go into the first international break of the season with a home game against Manchester United.
Both teams go into that match after suffering back-to-back defeats in the league and Dyche admits that game is on his and the players’ minds, though their immediate focus is on Olympiakos.
“We’ve made it clear to the players that the next game is the most important,” he added.
“We don’t want to overthink the one after that. But of course, we have to be aware – it’s Man United, a fantastic football club and a big challenge.”
Burnley are 2.75 to be relegated at the end of the season while Cardiff are 1.40 to make an instant return to the Championship.
