FK TSC Bačka Topola vs Olympiakos: UEFA Europa League Group Stages Preview

TSC Bačka Topola vs Olympiakos:
UEFA Europa League Preview


By Stephen Kountourou



Europa League Match Day Two: 05/10/23

Kick-off Time: 19:45 Greek Time

Venue: TSC Arena

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 4 HD


There are no easy games in football. When a clubs reaches a continental competition at any level, the players of that team have shown they can compete at a higher level, hence why they qualified for Europe in the first place. 

Yes, Olympiakos are the favourites on paper to win both home and away against Europa League debutants, FK TSC Bačka Topola. 

But if Thrylos want to be in Europe in 2024, whether that means staying in the Europa League for the knockout stages, or dropping to the Conference League, they cannot afford to underestimate the Serbian side. 

Especially, considering Olympiakos' record last season against teams they were favourites to win against, but didn't. 

So while Thrylos fans should be confident about their club travelling to Serbia, for Match Day Two of the Europa League group stages, it will not be as easy as it seems at face value. 


How Bačka Topola Qualified

After finishing runners-up in the 2022/23 edition of the Serbian SuperLiga, Bačka Topola qualified for the Champions League third qualifying round. 

They were outclassed over two legs by the Portuguese side Braga 7-1 on aggregate, but qualified for the Europa League group stages automatically, without having to go through the playoffs. In doing so they also reached a UEFA competition proper for the first time in their history.  


Last Time in the Europa League


Bačka Topola

Having been handed a tough group for their maiden European campaign, the Serbian side faced West Ham on Match Day One at the London Stadium. 

Even with vastly superior players on paper, the Hammers shockingly went 0-1 down at the start of the second half, thanks to a goal from young midfielder Petar Stanić. 

The Premier League side eventually came back to win 3-1, with a brace from marquee signing Mohammed Kudos and a third from Tomáš Souček. 

This game did show however that the Serbian side, even with no European football experience, could cause problems in this Europa League group, despite being favourites to finish bottom.


Olympiakos

Thrylos meanwhile, did not get the revenge over Freiburg that fans had hoped for. After a howler of a back pass from Nicolas Freire, the Bundesliga side pounced on the early mistake to make it 0-1 through Ronald Sallai. 

El Kaabi managed to equalise to bring the game back on level terms, only for another mistake, this time from Panos Retsos. A penalty was given and converted by Vincenzo Grifo, making it 1-2 just before half-time. 

Diego Martinez's men responded well after the break, and with 15 minutes of normal time to go, El Kaabi scored a hard-earned second equaliser to make it 2-2. 

The Piraeus side in front of their home fans was dealt one final blow of disappointment, however. After a Freiburg corner was cleared, Maximilian Philipp scored to make it 2-3 and give the away side the win, leaving Olympiakos the victims of their downfall.


Weekend Results 


Bačka Topola

The Serbian side had a nine-day break, after their game against West Ham, with two league matches being postponed. They returned to the field last weekend in an away match against FK Mladost Lučani. 

Bačka Topola thought they had won through a 28-minute goal from Serbian winger Miloš Pantović, only for Montenegrin midfielder Janko Tumbasević to steal a point for Mladost Lučani in added time through his equaliser. 


Olympiakos

Thrylos recovered well from the disappointing defeat against Freiburg, with 4-0 and 4-1 wins against Kifisia and Aris respectively. Over the weekend Olympiakos travelled to play against PAS Giannina. 

Diego Martinez's men dominated proceedings, with Daniel Podence being the star of the first half, scoring two wonderful goals from outside the box and Olympiakos going into the half-time break 0-2 up. 

The tempo slowed in the second half, with Thrylos still searching for a third. It wasn't until late on that they would make it 0-3, with a strike from Rodinei in added time sealing the victory and keeping Olympiakos on top of the table, going into the international break.


Last Thoughts 

To reiterate, Olympiakos cannot go into this game against Bačka Topola with the assumption that they will win. The Serbian side showed that while they lack the individual quality of Thrylos, West Ham and Freiberg, they can still punish mistakes if given the chance. 

The last thing Diego Martinez's men need is another calamitous error leading to a goal being conceded, which cost them dearly twice against Freiburg at the Karaiskakis Stadium.

For Olympiakos to succeed in this game, and again when they host Bačka Topola in December, the Piraeus side must be focused and as ruthless as they have shown in the league so far this season. Only then can Thrylos fans hope to have any chance of seeing their club play in Europe, come 2024.


@SteveKountourou 

Hellas Football 

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