Malmö FF vs Olympiakos: 

UEFA Europa League Matchday Three Preview

By Stephen Kountourou

UEFA Europa League League Phase Matchday Three: 24/10/24

Kick-off Time: 22:00 Greek Time

Venue: Eleda Stadion 

Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 3 HD

Northern Europe can be one of the toughest places to travel for any football club. This is not just because there are tough teams that compete in Scandinavia, but because the cold is an element that can be a huge advantage to the host side in European competition. 

Thankfully for Olympiakos, the fixtures have been kind to the Conference League holders, who travel to Sweden to play Malmö FF, just before the cold of winter sets in. That is not to say the Swedish champions will be easier to face. Still, Thrylos have one less aspect of this fixture to worry about, as it will be a storm they must weather to keep the momentum of staying in Europe beyond the end of the League Phase.

Last time in the UEL

Olympiakos

After the defeat to Lyon, Mendilibar and his players responded in the best possible way when they hosted Braga back in Piraeus. Against former manager Carlos Carvahal, and two former players Bruma and Andre Horta, Thrylos ran out 3-0 winners in front of a sold-out Karaiskaki crowd. 

In an end-to-end first half, it was Olympiakos who struck first. Andre Horta was almost the 12th man on the pitch for his former club when his misscontrolled kick sent the ball up into the air and landed in the path of Gleson Martins, who skillfully backpassed to Ayoub El Kaabi to break the deadlock just before halftime.

Horta’s nightmare performance continued after he gave the ball away again in a dangerous area, as Rodinei intercepted, and sprinted down the right wing before finding Santiago Hezze running into the box to slot home and double Olympiakos’s lead. 

Six minutes later, the hosts put the game to bed. Braga’s goalkeeper Matheus, under pressure from El Kaabi, misplaced his pass straight to substitute Willian. The Brazilian veteran quickly released the ball to Rodinei, who found the Moroccan striker onside, and ready to capitalise on the third mistake of Carvalhal’s men to make it 3-0 and the Conference League holders saw out an impressive victory.

Malmö

The Sky Blues had the misfortune of having to travel one of the longest distances for any club in UEFA competition, from their home in Sweden to the far reaches of Baku in Azerbaijan to play against Qarabag FK on matchday 2. Under similar circumstances to Olympiakos, Malmö came into this game needing a positive result after a 0-2 defeat to Scottish side Rangers the week before.

Henrik Rydström’s team started the match in the worst possible way, by going behind in the first 15 minutes. The Azerbaijani champions opened the scoring through Brazilian forward  Juninho, although this would ironically be the last shot on target for the hosts all game. Malmö recovered and responded almost immediately, as a few minutes later, Erik Botheim found an equaliser. 

The Norwegian international also scored the winner for the travelling side minutes after the restart and Malmö saw out a 1-2 victory and put points on the board of their Europa League campaign.

Weekend results 

Olympiakos

Thrylos returned from the international break to a seemingly straightforward tie against newly promoted Levadiakos. At first, that seemed to be the case, with Chquinho scoring a few minutes after kickoff and Ayoub El Kaabi, doubling his side's lead not long after through a penalty. 

But that was when Olympiakos sat back and allowed the travelling side to pull themselves back into a game they were almost down and out of. Just before half-time, Andreas Ndoj also gave away a penalty which was converted by Alen Ozbolt.

After the break, the home side attempted half-heartedly to restore their two-goal lead, only to concede once more and give up their lead via former player Giannis Gianniotas. Mendilibar attempted to find a winner by throwing on his substitutes, but Thrylos were held in Karaiskaki to a hugely disappointing draw against a side that hadn't got a result in Piraeus for over 30 years. 

Malmö

If it is any consolation to Olympiakos, their Swedish opponents also succumbed to a disappointing result in the league against bottom-side Västerås SK. Malmö scored in the first 16 minutes of the game through Erik Botheim. 

However, they were unable to extend their lead, and with Pedro Ribeiro equalising for the hosts, the Sky Blues had to settle for a draw on the road against their relegation-threatened opponents.

Competitive record

Olympiakos

It has been exactly ten years since Olympiakos and Malmö last played each other, that being in the UEFA Champions League group stages in 2014/15. The first match in Sweden ended in a 2-0 defeat for Thrylos but in the return match in Piraeus, they won 4-2 on matchday six. 

Overall Thrylos’ competitive record against Swedish clubs stands at four matches played, two wins and two losses, with the only other opponent from the Scandinavian country being Östers IF in 1982/83. The Piraeus side has never won away in Sweden before. 

Malmö

Like their opponents, Malmö has only played Greek opposition four times with their most recent matches having already occurred this season. 

Having drawn PAOK in the Champions League qualifiers, the Sky Blues drew 2-2 at the Eleda Stadion before knocking out the Greek champions 4-3 victory in extra time at Toumba.

Time to find some consistency

It has been a stop-straight beginning to the season for Olympiakos. Just when it looks as though Thrylos are about to hit lift they are brought back down to earth with a poor performance and result which sends the online fanbase into hysterics. 

Calls for the manager to get sacked, players to leave and Marinakis to sell the club are just some of the few things that are never too far away with the Piraeus side, and while some of the complaints have been warranted, some supporters have very short memories. 

Only a few months ago under Mendilibar, the club lifted a European trophy and despite a rebuild over the summer, with hugely important players departing, the Basque coach needs time to get Thrylos back to the level they reached last season. 

Thursday night in Sweden could be vital to that return to some consistency if they come away with a win. 

But beyond that, the team must return to the level that showed against Braga on a consistent basis and not what they showed against Levadiakos. If not, the complaints brigade won’t be far behind, ready to point the finger again at the wrong people for the issues at the club that were there long before their arrival.

@SteveKountourou

Hellas Football