Brighton Man Costinha on Olympiacos Culture: 'The Demands Are Enormous'

Brighton right-back Costinha opened up on his two seasons at Olympiacos in a recent interview. 

Speaking to Flashscore via Sport24.gr, Brighton's Costinha was asked to compare the Greek top-flight with the Portuguese Primeira Liga. Since he played in both divisions, the 26-year-old said: "I wouldn’t say that the Greek league is better than the Portuguese league, but the level is not very different. It is a very strong and competitive league." 

Costinha reflected on the high-intensity and demanding culture at Olympiacos, as a club of such a level did not take dropped points leniently. During his tenure with the Red and Whites, the Portuguese international was a regular part of the team, and he faced these standards every day in training and in matches. He said: "At Olympiacos, the demands are enormous, and when we drew a match, we felt like we had lost. When that happens, people don't say good morning to you; they look at you differently.

We had drawn a home Europa League match with Rangers, and the next day we had training. They didn't greet us and looked at us suspiciously."

Costinha remembered the young players of Olympiacos when he featured between 2024 and 2026. He was quick to praise teenage sensation Christos Mouzakitis, who went to newly promoted Premier League side Hull City earlier in the summer transfer window on a permanent deal from Olympiacos. Furthermore, he also talked about Borussia Dortmund man and former PAOK player Giannis Konstantelias. 

Costinha said: "Speaking of young players, we had quite a few talents in the Olympiacos team, like Christos Mouzakitis, who is now at Hull. It is not easy for a player to come through the academy and make his debut in the first team because the demands are always high and we have to win every game.

Giannis Konstantelias, who is now at Borussia Dortmund and has suffered a serious injury, is a name worth keeping an eye on. I faced him when he was at PAOK, and he gave me very difficult moments on two occasions. The kid has huge quality."

The Portuguese commented on Olympiacos youth graduate and Brighton forward Charalampos Kostoulas, who is slowly making his place in the Seagulls' squad. "Charalampos Kostoulas had a difficult adjustment last season, with several injuries because he was used to the intensity of the Premier League. He is physically very strong, but the pace is different here in England," remarked Costinha.