PAOK vs Olympiakos: Greek Cup Semi-Final First Leg Preview
After a few months of uncertainty, the postponed Greek Cup Semi-Final dates were announced, with the first legs due to play on the 20th and 21st respectively. The latter of these matches will feature the titanic clash of the top two teams in Greece, Cup holders PAOK and league champions Olympiakos.
Both sides have a lot to prove in this two-legged tie. For the Thessaloniki side, it's a chance to deny Thrylos the chance to win a potential double and put themselves in a final where they can claim a second consecutive Greek Cup.
Olympiakos on the other hand will want to shake off what was a disappointing European campaign and reignite their fans by claiming the League and Cup to put a positive spin on the season. There is always a fiery atmosphere on and off the pitch when the Athens vs Thessaloniki derby is played, and this tie should be no different.
Weekend Results For Both Teams
Both clubs had their respective local derby matches over the weekend in the Super League and ultimately they were both disappointing.
PAOK
PAOK were the first of the two sides to play on Sunday as they were hosted by Thessaloniki rivals Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. After European disappointment at being knocked out of the Conference League by Marseille, it was important to get a result in this massive match and keep the pressure on table-toppers Olympiakos.
Sadly for Răzvan Lucescu’s side, it would not be the case as a 17th-minute goal by Cheick Doukoure was the difference maker ultimately. PAOK struggled to muster a shot on target throughout the game and their frustration was added after a straight red card for Enea Mihaj reduced PAOK to 10 men. Aris came out on top and won the game 1-0 against their bitter rivals.
Olympiakos
It was not much better for Olympiakos as they travelled away to Panathinaikos at Leoforous. After two weeks without a competitive fixture, Thrylos had a full-strength squad coming into this match to increase their lead at the top of the table after PAOK’s defeat and take another step to seal the title. For PAO it was their chance to spoil the party for their eternal rivals and hand them only their second league defeat of the season.
Both teams started slowly in the game as has been the case in the first two matches against both sides this season. Eventually, Olympiakos were the first to have a genuine chance in the match with Masouras's attempt comfortably saved by Brignoli. As the match progressed however it was PAO who had the upper hand, constantly finding space to counter against a passive Thrylos side that looked devoid of ideas even in the first half. As halftime approached, the Prasini after a well-taken move found the opener through Aitor’s strike and passed Vaclik to put the home side ahead in front of their celebrating fans.
During the second half Olympiakos despite making changes hardly threatened PAO and it felt inevitable that Pedro Martins's men would lose this match, and lose they did. 1-0 was the final score and it was a well-deserved win for the home side as Olympiakos continued with these drab displays.
Greek Cup Competitive Record
The overall record between both Olympiakos and PAOK in the Cup is closer than some might expect with 16 wins for Thrylos,11 wins for the Aspromavri, and 6 draws in 33 matches. The most recent of these fixtures came in last season's Greek Cup final in which PAOK stunned the Greek champions with a last-minute goal from a counter-attack by Krmencik to claim the Thessaloniki side's 8th Greek Cup.
Injuries and Suspensions
Thrylos have a full-strength squad going into this first Cup match against PAOK, although a few players are at risk of being suspended for the second leg if they pick up bookings on Thursday. These include Sokratis, Oleg and Mady Camara.
PAOK on the other hand has a couple of notable absentees. Defensive prospect Giannis Michailidis is out long term after sustaining an ACL injury last month. Omar El Kaddouri is out with a more minor ankle injury and will miss both legs of the semi-finals. Vieirinha is also supposedly out of action for an undisclosed amount of time.
Prediction
It is a rather tough one to call as both teams are coming off of a very disappointing derby losing last weekend and both will have a point to prove. Olympiakos look mentally and technically fatigued at this point despite being a few games away from claiming their 47th Super League title and could be there for the picking.
PAOK, while inconsistent, recently bowed out of Europe with their heads held high and will fancy their chances in Toumba with their intense home fans behind them. I believe this could be a game but just like against their local rivals, Olympiakos will slump to a 1-0 loss away to PAOK with a chance to improve in Piraeus next week.
Hellas Football
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