Olympiakos. The Pre Pre Season

Olympiakos. The Pre Pre Season

By Stephen Kountourou 

As Olympiakos has officially wrapped up the Greek Super League title, all Thrylos fans can breathe a deep sigh that they have retained their crown. But with seven games to go and the Greek Cup now the main priority to claim a consecutive domestic double, the management of the squad is crucial for not only the remainder of the season but also the next campaign. 

We are likely to see some rotation of the starting line up as the rest of the games, while against some of the Piraeus sides biggest rivals, are not essential for some of the more crucial members of the team to play as they will undoubtedly be rested before the return leg against PAS in the semi-final of the Greek Cup. 

It could also be a good chance to see how some of the squad players handle the pressure of the big occasion by playing in a game against one of Panathinaikos, PAOK, AEK, Aris and even Asteras Tripolis and Pedro Martins can almost use these last handful of games in the league as a pre-season before pre-season. So this blog I will wrap up the week by taking a look at what players may and possibly should get an opportunity to play now that the domestic season is more or less done and dusted for the re-crowned Greek champions and even look at formations Pedro Martins may try out in preparation for the following 2021/22 season.

Formation Test Drive

Before we get on to the squad rotation of the team let’s take a quick look at the formation and would seem to be fairly obvious. Ever since the Europa League second leg tie against Arsenal, Pedro Martins has favoured the 3-4-3 as the main strategy going forward, with its ability to allow players to counter quickly on the break and reset just as fast when necessary making it a very organised set up. It is a very viable option for both the league and Europe, something Thrylos have struggled to find at times and this fluid formation is what I think we will see for the rest of the campaign domestically. Even if we don't always see it work to the best of its capabilities in the coming fixtures, this is the perfect opportunity to properly practice in the 3-4-3 and make those mistakes and find weak points which can then be ironed out in these last seven games as well as pre-season. Who knows we may see other formations played occasionally as well, like 4-4-2 or 4-2-2-2 so that Olympiakos can play with two strikers upfront. A return to the ever-reliable 4-2-3-1 if not just for familiarity and a heavily rotated side. Maybe even 4-3-3 if Martins still see this as an option going into next season despite the Piraeus sides mixed fortune when using it.  

Who Gets Given the Nod Now?  

Now on to the players where I shall be starting in goal. Jose Sa overall has had another fantastic season, a little blip in the new year was a bit of a worry but he has come back strong in the last couple of months and quite frankly he has earned a rest. 

Play him in the important games like the Cup and the game against just before to keep him fresh and play either one of Kostas Tzolakis or Ögmundur Kristinsson both of whom have not had much of a run due to Portuguese shot-stopper being ever-present between the sticks.  

 

At right back there is a lot to talk about. Currently, Androutsos is the first choice having put in some fantastic performances since Pedro Martins entrusted him on the right side of defence despite it not being his natural position. 

Especially in a 3-4-3 the Greek international flourished being allowed to attack more while the space left behind him is covered by the right-sided centre back. Either Thanasis Androutsos will continue to maintain his place in the team to further his development in that position, or January signing Kenny Lala, who was not in the squad for the match last week against Panathinaikos, will be given the nod to further integrate him into the squad now that the league season is more or less done and dusted. 

The French full-back where he more naturally plays will definitely be the main competition for Androutsos should Martins chooses to keep deploying the Greek in a more defensive position. 

There could also be opportunities given to Mohamed Drager, who has hardly featured for Greek champions in recent months and this is a good time for the Tunisian international to show his worth with less pressure on him in these latter stages of the campaign.

 

Centre back is probably a safer bet as to who starts. Especially in a formation that requires three defenders, we will probably see the rotation of one of the three starters, that being Sokratis, Oussenyou Ba and Ruben Semedo. 

Ba most recently sustained another back injury and with most games now being relatively important either Jose Holebas who has proved himself more than capable of playing in the left side of a back three or Avvram Papadopoulos who has returned from injury, will be the two that come to give the other three a rest. 

There is also hope that Martins even gives a chance to talented youngster Giannis Christofilopoulos to be part of the squad in these upcoming games and even feature a few times to show what he is capable of.

 

Left-back too is more self-explanatory, with Holebas being the preferred choice over the last couple of weeks to get the title over the line, this is now Oleg Reabciuk's time to shine. With less pressure on the young Moldovan international, I imagine he will be given the run out to properly prepare him for the season coming up when he will be the definite starter. Another option that may see some game time is Apostolos Apostolopoulos, as the young Greek left-back has not yet been given any opportunities in the senior squad.

 

In midfield, there are different partnerships we could see depending on the formation. The defensive midfield, with Yann M'Vila and Andreas Bouchalakis most likely being rotated with each other every other game. 

The number eight position is where things could get a bit more interesting. The definitive starter is Mady Camara, but if he were to be rested there would be the opportunity to play either Tiago Silva, who could use this time to show Thrylos faith more of what he is all about after some rather ordinary performances. Vasilios Sourlis, who many supporters have been crying out to see feature more could also be handed an opportunity to stake his claim to be part of the team more next season has already shown flashes of his capabilities in the Greek Cup. 

A very outside shout could also be Androutsos returning to a more natural position for the versatile player to see whether he can play more of a midfield role in the future.

 

Now for the wingers/attacking midfield which will be dependent on which formation is played. The regulars in more advanced positions being Kostas Fortounis, Giorgios Masouras and Bruma will probably make way for other players to be given more game time, although keeping them match fit for the cup, particularly Fortounis, is crucial. Whether we like it or not Lazar Randjelovic will probably be given a run-out in these last seven fixtures, as Pedro Martins seems to favour him despite the Serbian winger being in poor form. 

The ability is evident but what Lazar needs to do is simplify his game in these matches. Make simpler passes, hold the ball less and take his opportunities earlier and then maybe we will see the same player that was highly regarded as talented at the beginning of the 2019/20 campaign. There is also hope that Marios Vrousai gets the chance to play some more and get himself back to match fitness after his meniscus tear while also managing him correctly so as not to aggravate any unhealed wounds. 

Although it is unlikely it would also be a good time to give Christos Liatsos a bit of playing time as he is a huge prospect whose development could be benefited by some senior football.

 

To finish, upfront is a rather easy one to end on. Yussef El Arabi will undoubtedly want to play as much as possible to stay sharp in front of goal in the hope to lead his team to a second domestic double. Ahmed Hassan will also see some game time as the Egyptian Zlatan is on the verge of having the best goal-scoring season of his career and will be hoping to score a couple more tap ins and headers to make that happen. The forward player that certainly needs game time is Hugo Cuypers who has looked solid when called upon and will probably feature in a partnership with Hassan rather than as a sole striker.

 

Whichever way Olympiakos set up for the remainder of the season, with the league all wrapped up and the Cup now the main objective, the team have given themselves the best possible opportunity to achieve some more great things in the coming 2021/22 campaign.

Hellas Football 

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