No Love Lost between two Eternal Enemies, Olympiakos Preview

No Love Lost between two Eternal Enemies, Olympiakos Preview

By Steve Kountourou

On Sunday the 14th February, for many it will be Valentines Day and people from all over the world will be celebrating as best as they can under the current circumstance the day of love. What this day is not usually known for however is a hotly contested football match between two of the most bitter and hated rivals in European football. But that certainly will be the case this Sunday when Olympiakos travel to play eternal enemies Panathinaikos. This certainly is a fascinating time in the season for both sides to face each other, despite many seeing it as the race for the title all but over. Both clubs are two of the most in form teams currently and a defeat for either side could potentially derail their campaigns, such is the weight for every player or manager that competes in this game. Seeing as fellow Hellas Football contributor Antoni has recently written a preview on how he would like to see from Panathinaikos, and as a supporter of rivals Olympiakos, this blog will be dedicated to what I would like to see from Thrylos in this weekend's derby of Eternal Enemies. 

How I would like to see Olympiakos Line Up

In a match as big as this it is unlikely that manager Pedro Martins will take any big risks with the starting line up and I would also like to see him stick to the teams most comfortable formation, that being 4-2-3-1. There is no contest really with the goalkeeper who will undoubtedly be Jose Sa. The biggest questions currently lie with who starts in the back four. 

 

At right back it may be a few games too soon to start steal signing Kenny Lala. Although the fullback was handed his debut midweek against Aris in the Greek Cup he showed flashes of what he can bring to this team once fully integrated but is probably not ready for such an important game for the Greek Champions. I think that Tasos Androutsos should be a shoe in to start as his performances at right back have been stellar over the past couple of months with his fast play up and down the pitch and great crossing really helping to team to its dynamism it had last season. 

 

Centre backs are also a tricky one but I think that ultimately it should be Ruben Semedo and Ousseynou Ba. Marquee signing Sokratis will know how big this match is in Greek football and would bring great experience if he started but I personally think that Ba and Semedo still have the best partnership currently as they have been the main partners at the back throughout this season and the last. With Semedo also suspended for the Europa League tie with PSV it is also vital that Sokratis is fully fit for that game. 

 

On the left side of defence, while Holebas would also bring great experience of playing against the Prasini, Oleg Reabciuk should be the starter for this game as, like Androutsos he brings the speed and tireless running that the team requires on both flanks.

 

Midfield it's no question, Yann M'Vila and Mady Camara need to be the midfield two. Maybe if we are getting overwhelmed in the middle of the park we bring on Bouchalakis but I would not play 4-3-3 against this PAO side. In the number ten role it has to be Kostas Fortounis. The goal scorer in Piraeus during the previous encounter, he has stepped up in big games like this before and you need a bit of unpredictability in what will be a cagey match. On both wings I would like to see Bruma, who has been in great form as of late and if he is fully fit, and either one of Masouras who has come back into form in the past couple of weeks and Vrousai who if not a starter can still make an impact off of the bench.

 

Up front it will be El Arabi who is the most complete of all the forwards Olympiakos have at their disposal, but both Hassan and Cuypers have been in fantastic form and could also make a great impact off the bench if we need a tap in or thundering header.

 

How we should approach this game 

As said before this will be a cagey affair as many derbies tend to be. Olympiakos will boss the possession and look to overwhelm the Panathinaikos back line with pressing and pressure to lose the ball. What Thrylos needs to focus on undoubtedly is making sure they take the chances that fall to them. While goal scoring has not been a problem this campaign there is always the risk that it is important to take our goal scoring opportunities, while trying to nullify our rivals attack. PAO set up previously against Olympiakos to counter the moment the Prasini regained possession and later in the game when players began to tire.  

Prediction 

To Finish I will give my prediction for this massive clash. I believe that this game might have the biggest threat this season for Olympiakos to suffer their first domestic defeat. Pedro Martins men need to fully focus on what is still the biggest match in the Greek football calendar rather than having one eye on the first leg tie against PSV next Thursday. Despite there being no home fans which would make the atmosphere of the game very tumultuous, the confidence that PAO will bring to this game having been on a bit of a hot streak since the turn of the year means they will be up for a fight.

Boloni may not have a stronger team on paper compared to this Olympiakos side, but he could implement the tactics he has honed over the past few months that has brought Panathinaikos success in order to bring them their first victory over their bitter rivals since 2017. I will also say it does help somewhat that PAO have had a week's rest as their Greek Cup tie with PAS Giannina was called off. Even with all of these factors, there is no denying that Olympiakos have been the best side in Greece this season and they will not be allowed to lose concentration in such a huge fixture and over 90 minutes. I do believe that it will be the champions that take the 0-1 away victory in Leoforos.

Hellas Football 

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