Wolves vs Olympiakos, The European Build Up

Wolves vs Olympiakos, The European Build Up

Last Time in the Europa League 

By Stephen Kountourou

With much of the European domestic seasons wrapped up, we can now fully focus our attention to thhe continuation and conclusion of Europe's major club competitions. 

After a five month long wait, due to the pandemic putting the world on hold, we will now be able to witness the conclusion of the much anticipated Europa League tie between Olympiakos and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Much has happened since the two sides last faced each other in Piraeus in the first leg of the round of 16 way back in March when it finished all square in a 1-1 draw Wolves leaving Greece with an away goal. 

So in this build up to the 2nd leg that will take place on the 6th of August, five months after the 1st leg, I will be taking a brief look at both teams since the restart, what we can expect from both sides going into this huge fixture and what it means for both teams in they can reach the quarterfinals and quite possibly, beyond. I will also give some updates on the changes, key players and injuries to both sides, although depending on when this blog is released, I understand that things can change in a short space of time. 

So to pardon the pun, let's dive in.

If I've said it Once I'll say it again

Having expressed my thoughts on this many times on my blogs, on Twitter and to the exasperation of my friends, Olympiakos 2019/20 season since the restart needs no introduction. 

Thrylos continued where they left off before the Greek Super League was postponed, storming the league and sealing an astronomical 45th title, their first in 3 years, as well as booking a place in the Greek Cup final, which is due to take place on the 30th of August.  

 

So close, yet so far for the Wanderers 

With aspirations of finishing in a European place, and maybe even breaking into the top four for a place in next season's Champions League, Wolves began the restart strongly, without conceding a goal and winning their 1st three matches. The end to the season for the wanderers was more patchy to say the least. 

They dropped points against winnable opponents, in a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United and a 95th minute penalty for Burnley with Wolves drawing the match 1-1. Despite being the stronger side in both matches they were effectively out of the race for the last two top four spots. Upon also losing to Chelsea on the final day of the season, and other results not going their way, Wolves finished 7th place. Still a very strong finish for a very talented side, but with no European football via the league, missing out on the last European place via the league to Spurs and thanks to Arsenal finishing 8th and winning the FA Cup, 7th place will not be given a place in next season Europa League.

Olympiakos Key Players 

El Arabi

Top Scorer for Thrylos this season 27 in all competitions, including seven in Europe, which has been some of the most important for Olympiakos, including a late penalty against Red Star and the winner at the death against Arsenal, the one thing you cannot do with the Moroccan striker is underestimate him. 

Tsimikas

Strong in attack and defence having made left back his own this season, there is a reason the Greek international is highly touted by some of Europe's biggest clubs. Tsimikas has shown his quality in all competitions this season and has proven to Pedro Martins he is not only a vital part of the team but is a big name player for the biggest occasions 

Cisse and Ba

Here's me cheating slightly again. With Ruben Semedo suspended for the 2nd Leg against Wolves, the Senegalese defenders will need to hold their nerve against a formidable Wolves attack, but if both players can produce the master class they did against Arsenal, with their tireless running and hard work they can produce for 90 minutes they will be a duo to be reckoned with.

Valbuena

There is a reason why renaissance is a phrase I use for this man and that is because that is what I am going to use to describe Matheau Valbuena. At 35 years old the French veteran has amassed 23 assists this season with 7 coming in Europe this season. Say what you want about football in Greece but for any player in the twilight of his career, that is truly amazing.

 

Wolves Key Players

Jiminez

Wolves leading goal scorer in all competitions with 26 goals and 9 in Europe, the Mexican international will be the biggest test for Olympiakos defence when they play at Molineux. Capable of creating goal scoring opportunities from nothing, if there was a man who could inspire Wolves to progress further in the tournament it is him. 

   

Patricio 

Portugal's number one in goal and a class shot stopper, Rui Patricio is a keeper most attacking players will struggle to get passed when facing him. Averaging a clean sheet every three games in all competitions this season there is a reason why he is regarded as one of the best keepers in the European game. 

Coady

Their captain, their leader, their legend. Conner Coady has quietly been one of the most underrated players for Wolves this season, despite being their captain. The former England Under 21s player has played every single game in all competitions for the Wanderers this season and his leadership in defence has and will be invaluable if Wolves progress any further in the Europa League.   

Traore 

Who would have thought this man would become one of Wolves most influential and revered players after struggling previously at Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. The Spanish right winger  has been one of Wolves key points in attack and is frightening with his pace on the counter attack along with his intelligent game awareness and use of his physique to bully players into making mistakes, Tsmikas will have to be careful when playing opposite to one of Wolves players of the season. 

Injuries and Suspensions 

Semedo disappointingly suspended 

Ruben Semedo can only blame himself for not featuring in the second leg. The Portuguese defender would have probably played this match but is unavailable due to being sent off in the first leg after 30 minutes when he was shown a straight red card.    

Soudani out, but you already knew that

The quick Algerian forward is still recovering from an ACL injury and was never going to be a feature in the squad despite his inclusion in the round of 32 onwards.

Sa woes

Only in the last couple of days has one of the biggest blows come to Olympiakos and that is the injury of number one goalkeeper Jose Sa. He would have been one of the my key players to watch going into the match, but after a serious injury has ruled him out for over two months it is now up to Bobby Allain to fill the Portuguese stoppers rather huge boots. 

The Pack at Full Strength

As far as I am aware and at the time of writing there are no absences from Wolves squad in regards to suspensions or injuries so they will have a full strength squad going into this match.

Olympiakos and What it Means to Progress

Having not competed in a competitive match since the end of the League season on the 19th of July, which by the time the fixture against Wolves is played, it will have been eighteen days since Thrylos last played in that 3-0 win over AEK Athens, it is a rather long gap which could cause early fatigue and a possible loss of momentum for the Piraeus side. 

Had the Greek Cup final been played on the original date it would have been a much shorter gap for Olympiakos to then play Wolves in a high stakes match and regardless of the result of the Cup final, it still would have given them something to build on. 

It must be said that despite this, they were able to compensate in a friendly against Cypriot side Omonia where, despite being a very different beast to AEK or Wolves, Thrylos looked sharp as they defeated their opponents 3-0.

 

From Olympiakos at their best, Wolves can expect a tough side to break down for the vast majority of a game, with good attacking players who will counter quickly on the break and put pressure on opposition defences to make the mistakes that could lead to a golden opportunity. 

Thrylos this season in Europe have also had a knack for creating late chances that have been the difference maker for some of their most important moments of the season, one of which was the late penalty against Red Star Belgrade which sealed the Piraeus side 3rd place and a spot in the Europa League; and the 120th minute away goal against Arsenal which sent them through to the round of 16 over the Gunners on away goals.

 

The biggest problems that Erytholefki have faced in Europe this season, that Wolves could very much capitalise on are; firstly, Olympiakos at times being unable to see out matches, the most glaring example being when Thrylos were 2-0 up against Tottenham in the Champions League group stage, but after a clanger from Meriah at the end of the first half and making it 2-1, allowed Spurs back into the game, and they eventually succumbed to a 4-2 loss to Jose Mourinho's side. 

 

As I have said before in previous blogs this is the best opportunity Olympiakos may ever get to reach their first European final. This does not mean I believe they are anywhere near favourites to reach it and some of the opponents Thrylos could face in the latter stages are as good if not better the Wolves, but with the change in format being one round rather the two legs to decide who progress this is means that, including Thursday's game, they are only three matches away from achieving something only their bitter rivals Panathinaikos have managed in the history of Greek football and what a better year to do it then this one.   

 

Wolves and What it Means to Progress 

For Wolves, their wait for a competitive match, once Thursdays match comes around, will have only been eleven days having last played in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. They, unlike their Europa League opponents have not arranged any friendly fixtures in this time meaning they too could lose any momentum of form they had from the end of the Premier League season to this upcoming European matches. Despite this, Wolves go into the 2nd Leg as favourites, having scored a vital away goal in Piraeus away back in March meaning the tie is very much in their hands. 

 

With the style of football they play under Nuno Espirito Santo, they are more than capable of hitting Thrylos where it hurts and putting the tie firmly to bed early on. Strong on the counter attack and playing with pace Wolves on their day are a more then formidable opponent and when at their best this season, have played some of the best football in England.

 

While the Wanderers possess the means to blow teams away, as shown on numerous occasions, they are not unbeatable. While they create a lot of high quality chances, they sometimes fail to convert those chances into goals which has allowed teams, like Burnley and Sheffield United as examples, to draw and lose those games respectively, when they could have and probably should have won both, with goals being conceded late from against both sides.

 

This fixture has become even more important for Wolves in recent weeks. Not only could this be a first major trophy for them since winning the League Cup in 1980, but with all other routes into Europe next season now gone, winning the Europa League has become the only path for Wolves to be playing Champions League football in 2020/21 making this competition a must win for them. 

In Conclusion 

To finish, I will be making my prediction as to who I think will come out on top in this must win tie. My heart still says on their day Olympiakos can beat anyone and I would love for them to go through; but the pessimist in me, which is also my head, says that this could be the end of an amazing run and Wolves will be the team to reach the quarter finals. So with all that being said I am going to pessimistically predict a 2-1 win for the Wanderers, but as I always say, in football, anything is possible.

 

Hellas Football

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