The Next Month Will Speak Volumes

AGONAsport’s Olympiacos contributor, Theo Bouras, talks about Olympiacos’ loss in Munich and the important month ahead for the Reds in both Greece and Europe.

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If in a few years we look back at the 2019-20 edition of Olympiacos, the level of success that this team achieved will be largely decided in the next month. With the Europa League (and a minimal chance at the Champions League spot) at stake and with a massive upcoming derby with PAOK, the Erythrolefki are called upon to put their best foot forward.

Difference of class in Germany

Olympiacos headed to Germany with some hope after their Matchday 3 Champions League performance in Piraeus against Bayern Munich. The Erythrolefki kept the Germans scoreless in the first half after impressive performances by goalkeeper Jose Sa, as well as midfielders Andreas Bouchalakis and Mady Camara. In the second half, Bayern turned up the heat and Jose Sa was incredible but the Legend finally dropped a 2-0 decision. For Olympiacos, losing is never acceptable but when it comes to a top European club like Bayern Munich, the differences of class and overall value of the two squads are tough to ignore.

For the 44-time Greek Champions, the loss at the Marakana Stadium on Matchday 2 all but wiped away their Champions League Round of 16 dreams. Pedro Martins and his team will now focus on qualifying for the Europa League; it’s a necessity for the team to be playing European football in the new year.

Full speed ahead for PAOK and the European “final”

The next month will be filled with key battles for the Erythrolefki. This coming Sunday, Atromitos will be travelling to Piraeus; Giannis Anastasiou’s team has been average this year but the quality is there. Meanwhile, PAOK will be travelling to Crete to face the Cinderella-team of the season, OFI Crete. If Olympiacos can manage to get the three points against Atromitos, there is a decent chance that the Dikefaloi tou Vorra will drop some points in Crete.

The following Super League matchday, Olympiacos and PAOK will play Panionios and Larissa respectively, two games that both teams should win. On December 1st, the big derby will take place as last year’s Greek Champions will travel to Piraeus. With the newly implemented playoff rules taking place this year, Olympiacos will most likely meet PAOK a total of four times! The Erythrolefki would love to build a cushion for the rest of the season with a victory over their rivals.

The biggest advantage that PAOK might have is their easy schedule. Abel Ferreira’s team does not have any European obligations and therefore do not have to worry about the extra travelling, match fatigue, and possibility of injuries. Between their Panionios and PAOK game, Olympiacos will have to travel to England to face Tottenham. 

Finally, ten days after the Greek derby, the Erythrolefki will host Red Star Belgrade for Matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League. Pedro Martins and his men will need a victory over the Serbians to ensure their European season will resume in the Europa League for 2020.

Bipolar performances and the missing VAR-o-meter

Olympiacos are ahead in the Super League by only two points from second-placed, PAOK, and that is due to their inability to play good football on the road. The Gavros were pitiful against Panathinaikos on Matchday 4, and were not much better in Xanthi this past weekend. If Olympiacos are to regain the Greek League, they would need to improve on the road where they cannot afford to keep dropping points. Compared to their performances in the Champions League and at home during Greek League clashes, the Reds have been unrecognizable on the road; that’s something that must immediately be rectified.

It’s never fun talking about referees, but this past weekend once again showed us the joke that has been the Greek officiating and the VAR system. In PAOK’s home game against Panathinaikos, the referee gave five minutes as injury time and awarded the home team a penalty at 5 minutes and 30 seconds. What preceded at the 4th minute and a half was a foul on Panathinaikos player, Juan José Perea, that was missed. Normally, the VAR system would run the play back all the way to the foul and the penalty would not be given (see for example what happened to El Arabi’s goal against AEK). But not in this case; PAOK were awarded a penalty and salvaged the point. Just a fun fact to note, PAOK have played in five home games this season and have 42 minutes of extra time (that’s over 8 minutes per game!).

It will indeed be a roller coaster ride for Olympiacos this season, but if the Legend is to return to its Greek throne, this coming month will have a lot to do with it.

by Theo Bouras

Image Source: to10.gr

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