Olympiacos showing their mettle against English opposition

In the current season, Olympiacos have shown their mettle against English opposition, producing impressive performances across the two European competitions.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV! 

Olympiacos never used to particularly enjoying playing against English clubs. However, since Pedro Martins became the head coach in the summer of 2018, the Erythrolefki have suddenly achieved successful results in matches with teams from England. Last season, Olympiacos defeated Burnley in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, earning a 3-1 triumph at the Karaiskakis Stadium and progressing with a gritty 1-1 draw on the road in the second leg.

The positive performances against Premier League sides have continued in the 2019/2020 campaign. In the summer, Olympiacos managed to qualify for the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in two years, subsequently being drawn in Group B alongside Bayern Munich, Tottenham Hotspur, and Red Star Belgrade. On matchday one, Tottenham made the trip to Piraeus, initially taking a 2-0 lead through a Harry Kane penalty and Lucas Moura’s long-range strike. Olympiacos had a shock up their sleeves for the 2019 finalists, however, with Daniel Podence brilliantly halving the deficit on the stroke of the half-time break and Mathieu Valbuena equalising with a penalty early in the second. 

Matters were unfolding even better in the return game in London.

Requiring a victory to remain in the hunt for a berth in the Champions League knockout stage, Olympiacos made a flying start against Jose Mourinho’s troops, as Youssef El Arabi and Ruben Semedo handed the visitors a surprise 2-0 advantage. Olympiacos were in control but, with half time approaching, Yassine Meriah committed a terrible error that gifted Tottenham a way back into proceedings. In the end, the hosts powered to a decisive 4-2 win, but who knows what would have happened had Meriah not fallen to pieces.

Taking into account the gallant games against Tottenham, and Arsenal’s somewhat underwhelming campaign to date, there was no fear when Olympiacos were drawn with the Gunners in the Last 32 of the Europa League. In the first leg, however, Olympiacos looked to have given themselves an almost impossible task of qualifying when conceding an undeserved 1-0 defeat with Alexandre Lacazette scoring late. 

Nevertheless, they were far from out of the tie, and the Greeks exposed Arsenal’s defensive frailties in London when Pape Abou Cisse thumped an unstoppable header beyond Bernd Leno. In extra time, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang gave Arsenal the aggregate lead with a spectacular effort, but El Arabi tapped in Giorgos Masouras’ cross in the dying moments to snatch a memorable triumph. More than anything else, Olympiacos impressed with their belief, courage and sheer determination, holding firm in defence and causing Arsenal several problems on the counter and at set pieces.

The English adventure for Olympiacos didn’t stop there.

The Erythrolefki were pitted against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team which Podence joined in the winter transfer window, in the Round of 16. Unfortunately for Olympiacos, the first game took place inside an empty Karaiskakis Stadium as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and Semedo was sent off in the 28th minute. That didn’t deter Olympiacos, though, and El Arabi tapped home in the second half when receiving a superb pass from Guilherme. Despite their best efforts, Olympiacos couldn’t hold on to the advantage, with Pedro Neto equalising with a deflected free-kick. Sadly, with the COVID-19 illness continuing to cause devastation across the planet, it isn’t yet known if the second match will ever be played.

Overall, Martins has steered Olympiacos to two victories, three draws and two defeats in seven official battles against English organisations since becoming the manager, with the team tallying an equal goal difference of 11-11:

Olympiacos - Burnley - 3-1 (Europa League)

Burnley - Olympiacos - 1-1 (Europa League)

Olympiacos - Tottenham - 2-2 (Champions League)

Tottenham - Olympiacos - 4-2 (Champions League)

Olympiacos - Arsenal - 0-1 (Europa League)

Arsenal - Olympiacos - 1-2 (Europa League)

Olympiacos - Wolves - 1-1 (Europa League)

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!