Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos: Derby of Eternal Enemies Preview

Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos: 
Derby of Eternal Enemies Preview



By Stephen Kountourou


Super League Greece Match Day 8: 22/10/23

Kick-off Time: 19:30 Greek Time

Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 1 HD



Every league has its centre-piece game. A derby match that a whole country tunes in to witness, as two titans clash for either the title or just bragging rights over the other team and league form goes out the window. 


Many derbies across the globe fall into this category. The likes of El Classico, The Superclásico, Der Klassiker, The North London Derby and the Eternal Derby are just a few matches that garner domestic and international attention from a wide set of football supporters. 


For Greece, without question, it is Olympiakos vs Panathinaikos. From the first encounter between the two sides way back in 1930, “The Derby of Eternal Enemies”, as it was named, was built from the foundation of social and economic differences between the then-working-class area of Piraeus and the then-upper-class centre of Athens. 


It has evolved over the years into the biggest and most heated rivalry between the two most successful sides in Greek football. 


Even internationally, the clash between the two sides has gained such notoriety that it has been named among some of the most important derbies in club football. 


With Sunday being the 216th match between the two sides in all competitions, it is anyone's guess who will come out on top at the Karaiskakis Stadium.



Last Season’s Results 


During the 22/23 season, both sides ended the campaign on equal footing, with Thyrlos and the Prasini drawing twice in the regular season and winning one apiece in the playoffs. 


During the first encounter at Leoforos, Olympiakos were minutes away from a famous away win, thanks to a goal from Pep Biel, only for a controversial penalty to be given in favour of the home side. 


Sporar smartly slotted home the equaliser for Ivan Jovanovic’s men and the points were shared. The return match in Piraeus, ended in a 0-0 draw, with Sokratis being sent off for a second yellow card late on. 


The Playoffs were the making and breaking of both clubs' campaigns. Panathinaikos found themselves 2-0 up at home before halftime through Sporar and an El Arabi own-goal, against a subpar Olympiakos. 


The match ended as such and it was one of the many nails in the coffin that was Thrylos' attempt to retain the Super League title. 


The Piraeus side had their revenge, however. At the Karaiskakis Stadium, in the penultimate game of the season, Olympiakos would claim a 1-0 win and the first victory over their eternal rivals for two seasons thanks to a strike from Oleg Reabciuk. 


The defeat for the Prasini ended their hope for a first title in 13 years, with AEK being crowned champions on the final match day of the season.



Injuries


Olympiakos


Diego Martinez was given a boost during the international break with the return of defender Andreas Ndoj from injury. French right back Giulian Biancone is also likely to feature in the Thrylos squad after overcoming his injury issues. 


Argentine centre-back Nicolas Friere will remain on the sidelines after being deemed not ready to compete in the derby this Sunday. Veteran Spanish midfielder Vicente Iborra is also still an injury doubt.


Panathinaikos


The Prasini have a few notable absentees when they travel to Piraeus. Icelandic defender Hördur Magnússon is still unavailable after suffering a cruciate ligament tear and will be out until March 2024. 


USMN defender Erik Palmer-Brown is also a doubt having suffered a sprain. Spanish left-back Juankar sustained an ankle injury at the beginning of October and is unlikely to feature.



Last Thoughts


This match is not only one of the biggest derbies in world football. It is the centrepiece of the sport in Greece and should be the advert for the Super League. 


The match has been marred by fan violence, stadium bans, controversial decisions, and points deductions just to name a few issues in the overarching problems of Greek football. 


Whether you support your club in red and white or in green and white, the hope for all fans is for an exciting, entertaining, fiery and passionate derby that shows off the two most successful sides in the biggest match on the Greek football calendar in the right way.



@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football

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