Time to show them who is Greece’s best team
AGONAsport’s Olympiacos contributor, Theo Bouras, talks about the Erythrolefki’s top of the table clash against rivals PAOK on Sunday.
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During previous years, Olympiacos and PAOK have had some of the most exciting derbies that Greece has to offer. PAOK only started being a championship contender the last few seasons, therefore, games amongst the two teams were never do-or-die; they were games for pride!
This Sunday, Olympiacos host PAOK in a game that feels a lot bigger than it technically is. Sure, Pedro Martins and the Erythrolefki want to jump ahead three points in the Greek Super League standings, but those three points are what they are probably thinking about the least.
Do or Die Feeling
In all likelihood, these two teams will square off another three times this season (if you include the championship playoffs) and maybe more (if you include the Greek Cup). Sunday’s game just seems to have a lot more at stake. It may be due to the fact that Olympiacos have not won the Greek Super League since the 2016-17 season or because the team feels it should have beaten PAOK last season at Georgios Karaiskakis by a big score - based on the scoring chances both teams had and instead lost 0-1 on an own goal by Jagos Vukovic.
Olympiacos have beaten PAOK in nine of the 14 meetings the two teams have had at the new Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. The teams has tied once, and PAOK have come away with road victories on four occasions. History doesn’t really prove anything for the future but if we look at the only two times these teams were close in the standings and met this deep in the season, we would have to go back to 2013-14 when Olympiacos routed PAOK 4-0. and in the 2014-15 season when PAOK squeaked a 1-2 win in Piraeus. Both times, the Legend went on to win the championship.
This derby also brings back memories of the 2009-10 clash between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos. The Greens had momentum and were visiting Piraeus to make a statement. Red fans and the media billed the game as a must-win and the team delivered, a 2-0 victory with two goals from Kostas Mitroglou. That game was in late November and did little to change the standings come season’s end, but the fans treated it like a championship final.
The Better Team on the Pitch
Call me biased, but I truly believe Pedro Martins has better players at his disposal than PAOK boss, Abel Ferreira. Jose Sa is the Greek League’s best keeper, despite his poor reactions during the finale of the Panionios game. Defensively, both teams have shown weaknesses, but Olympiacos can count on Ruben Semedo – a top class defender who can do it all. In the midfield, Olympiacos are missing captain Kostas Fortounis until January (at least) , but their trio of Andreas Bouchalakis, Mady Camara, and Guilherme has gelled well. Finally, the teams both possess quality attackers, but the Erythrolefki seem to create better scoring opportunities despite PAOK having scored more goals in the league this season.
There are two keys for Pedro Martins this Sunday – his team must play excellent defense, and Daniel Podence needs to be his best self. On the defensive line, Omar Elabedellaoui and Kostas Tsimikas are practically locks on the wings, but Semedo will probably be paired up with Avraam Papadopoulos. After Yassine Meriah’s recent poor form, Papadopoulos will likely be given the nod on Sunday. The 34-year-old who will turn 35 on Tuesday doesn’t have the speed or stamina he once did. Nevertheless, the Greek center-back has tremendous passion and plays the game hard. He has been in these derbies before and knows what they mean to the club and the supporters.
Offensively, Podence will dictate the pace – as he often does – with his runs in the box, his crosses and his scoring chances. The Portuguese winger links very well with the right-back Elabdellaoui and on his good days, he can be the best player on the pitch. Podence has trouble with his finishing touch, but it is all the other aspects of his game that make him such a key player and imperative member of coach Martins’ Starting XI.
PAOK have been on the attack through the media, bragging about their first championship in 35 games, their undefeated streak and their two victories against the Reds last season. They even demanded that Greek officials drug test all the Olympiacos players for the use of illegal substances. This, of course, is done recurrently in the UEFA Champions League but PAOK would not be familiar with this protocol (the Dikefalos tou Vorra have not played in a single Champions League group stage game).
PAOK do have the luxury of playing once a week, keeping their team fresh, while the Olympiacos squad needs to travel, battle fatigue and injuries. Olympiacos are best to ignore any officiating decisions, because if they get excited and lose their cool, they’ll be falling right into PAOK’s game plan. Red supporters have been looking forward to this game since the season schedule was announced. During derbies, there is no telling what could happen. Olympiacos sit on 44 Greek Championships while PAOK have three (tied with Aris from Thessaloniki) but that does not affect the rivalry of both teams. Scores will be settled on the field – and it all happens in Piraeus, this Sunday!
