Return of the King
Return of the King
By Gavin Waymire
Despite some heavy investment in the summer, things didn’t seem to be working for the Piraeus giants. We had scraped through our Champions League group in third place on the final day against Crvena Zvezda, earning a spot in the Europa League knockouts.
In Greece we were undefeated, however five draws out of seventeen matches including disappointing results against some relegation scrappers just wasn’t enough. We found ourselves below PAOK once again, and you couldn’t have faulted me for expecting the worst; expecting yet another repeat of the previous few seasons.
I feared a run of poor form around February, which would see us fall out of contention on all fronts. To my great delight, this time was different. In fact, Olympiakos seem to have turned the page and returned to the incredible form that would match our stature.
We’ve won all but one of our matches in Greece in 2020 (the exception a 0-0 away draw to AEK). We find ourselves in great shape in the Greek Cup, having grabbed two away goals at Toumba despite losing 3-2. Finally, in Europe we have been one of the surprise packages, snatching victory at the death away to English giants Arsenal, and in our first leg match against Wolves we were firmly the better side despite being a man down for over an hour.
As I said in my midseason review, this team has heart, and an incredible amount of it. It’s the reason we’ve overcome PAOK so strongly this season, earning not one but TWO victories in Thessaloniki as we find ourselves a massive nineteen points clear of the Dikefaloi tou Vorra. One more win, and we will secure our first Greek title since 2017, putting us back on Greek football’s throne where we belong.
This turnaround, in my opinion, has been nothing short incredible. Olympiakos haven’t been themselves for a long time now, and as I watch the Erythrolefkoi once again showing their pedigree, I am falling in love with this team all over again. When looking at this squad, it’s hard to find a disappointment. The defense is one of the best we’ve ever had, conceding ten goals in twenty-nine games at any level is miraculous.
José Sá is our best keeper since Nikopolidis, and in front of him Tsimikas, Ba, Cissé, Semedo, and Elabdellaoui have all been fantastic.
Our midfield trio of Bouchalakis, Guilherme, and Camara have been constantly reliable on both sides of the pitch, all showing great drive and versatility.
Despite the worrying departure of star Daniel Podence, the offense has been ticking like nothing changed. Mathieu Valbuena is having one of the finest seasons of his illustrious career, despite being in his mid thirties.
Youssef El-Arabi is the striker we’ve been yearning for ever since Mitroglou left; and Ahmed Hassan has turned up to chip in important goals when needed as well. Then there’s the boss himself: Pedro Martins. Enough cannot be said about the Portuguese manager.
There have been more than a few times where I’ve lost faith in him over his tenure, but thankfully Marinakis hasn’t.
Martins is everything that Olympiakos represents: professionalism, excellence, passion, and above all else a winning mentality. These intangibles have been missing over the past several seasons, but as Martins has brought them back, he has brought Olympiakos back.
Under his watchful eye, this club will march on, and I believe that the glory days are once again near.
The king of Greek football has returned, and we are just getting started.
Hellas Football
Follow @Gavrinho_
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