2 Week Odyssey for AEK and Olympiakos

Just when AEK Athens thought their schedule couldn’t get tougher, the draw for the Quarter Finals of the Greek Cup has paired them with one of the toughest team they could get… 27 time Greek Cup winner and rival, OIympiakos.

AEK’s schedule is immense with 9 games in 36 days thanks to progress in the Greek Cup and UEFA Europa League, a great situation to be in however depth and history will need to be strong and different.

If that was not enough, what is ahead for Greek Football fans is something special, a 2 week Odyssey between AEK and Olympiakos as they play each other twice for the Cup, home and away, and sandwiched in between those two matches is a critical league match.

The first leg of the Cup is this week on Wednesday night in Piraeus, the two teams have met frequently in the Greek Cup, especially of late, and only last season did the two Giants of Greek Football meet, on that occasion it was AEK that prevailed on away goals after AEK won 2-1 at the Karaiskakis, and OIympiakos won 1-0 at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA).

Before that, just 2 seasons ago, AEK was on track to eliminate Olympiakos after winning at Karaiskakis before the Greek FA decided to cancel the competition at the time due to crowd violence.

The first leg to be played this week should be an even contest, in terms of form, that would be on Olympiakos’ side, the reigning Greek Champions have not lost to Greek opposition since late October 2017 in their 1-0 loss away to Panathinaikos, since then it’s been 11 wins straight with goal differential of 30-5, dominant to say the least.

AEK has also not lost to Greek opposition since late October (23/10) when they went down to Atromitos, and have won every game in this seasons Greek Cup. Whilst still winning most games,  in the last 4 Greek league games AEK has dropped points where Olympiakos and PAOK (the other inform team) have not. Recent draws to Apollon (at home) and just recently to Larissa, both 0-0, have been costly for AEK, whose attack is a little hot and cold.

Following the first game the two teams will do battle with Lamia and Asteras respectively, AEK at home to the newly promoted Lamia and Olympiakos away to Asteras who’s form has wavered in 2018.

Both AEK and Olympiakos will have no mid-week games before what will be a critical Super League clash on Sunday 4^th of February at Karaiskakis stadium.

If all goes as expected and standings stay the same, this will be a game AEK can not lose. A win would bring AEK right back in hot contention, whilst a loss would make the Super League a two horse race between Olympiakos and PAOK.

If that is not mouth watering enough, the 3^rd clash in a fortnight will be hosted on Wednesday the 7^th of February and AEK will host the final for season 2017/18 between these two adversaries.

There are several scenarios that can pan out, either team could experience great success in the two prior games and looking to rub salt into the wound or it could be an all open affair? Does one team win the league match whilst the other looks to get bragging rights in the Cup?

AEK’s midfield has grown a little over the break however I think the busy schedule suited a player like Patito Rodruguez who was released in January, his skill and speed would have caused headaches for tired defenders. Instead AEK will need to see Andreas Simoes return to action and allow new signing Shojaei Masoud to help Andreas Bakasetas and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos create up front for Marko Livaja and Sergio Araujo who will need their finishing boots on to be up for the task.

Olympiakos' big roster will help in defence and midfield, so if AEK can pressure their defence I do believe there is room for goals. In midfield Olympiakos is getting better with Marko Marin and Kostas Fortounis leading the way, and returning Kevin Mirallas, still rusty is a threat for AEK, as is Karim Ansarifard. He is the leagues top goal scorer and a threat to any defence, so if he is fit over the two weeks, he could prove the difference.

What ever happens, it will be a great two weeks with plenty of passion, character and I am sure, tears of pain or success.

For AEK, they will need to break a tradition at this time of year, especially from a League perspective where they tend to drop points and lose concentration so there is plenty to play for. 

Bring it on.

By Greg Gavalas for Hellas Football