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AGONAsport’s Olympiacos contributor, Theo Bouras, speaks about the somewhat dull derby draw against Panathinaikos in the Super League playoffs.

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Throughout the course of the season, all teams go through peaks and valleys. This Olympiacos team started on fire last July during its UEFA Champions League qualifiers, continuing their streak until roughly a month before the Christmas holidays. Upon returning in January, the Erythrolefki got their mojo back and were able to run away with the Super League while playing exciting football in the process.

Fast forward to June after the coronavirus break, and Olympiacos looked unbeatable. The only recurring issue was that they seemed to let the opponent get back into the game in the second half. This can be explained for two reasons. Firstly, the squad is still not match fit after a long three-month break. Secondly, there is a small sense of complacency which is becoming to be increasingly visible.

 Much-needed motivation

The 45-time Greek champions still have four Super League playoff games left, but besides accomplishing the “undefeated season” feat, coach Pedro Martins needs to encourage his team to continue playing at a high level. Being undefeated throughout an entire season sure is nice, but what Olympiacos wants to do is make sure they are ready for their Greek Cup final against AEK on July 26th and their return leg against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the UEFA Europa League Last 16 in early August.

In past seasons, Olympiacos would often have a let-down in the latter stages of the second half because the title had already been clinched. The games became rather meaningless moving forward and this showed on the pitch. This season, due to the unprecedented circumstances, this cannot happen.

If the second half against AEK and most of the game last Wednesday against OFI were warning signs, then Sunday’s 0-0 draw against lowly Panathinaikos was probably the sound of a loud panic button. Martins has faced adversity in his first two seasons in Piraeus and always found a way to right the ship. He’ll be asked to do it once again during this upcoming crucial stretch.

Laughable statements

If Panathinaikos have one thing they can claim is theirs, it would be the first place ranking in the list of ridiculous team announcements/statements. During the half-time break on Sunday, the Green administration came out with a PR statement rhetorically asking themselves “how much more embarrassment can Olympiacos fans endure?”

It’s ironic and borderline ridiculous to hear the representatives of the Tryfilli ask that question. The Legend this season is a breath away from the quarter-finals of the Europa League, have advanced to the Greek Cup Final and have conquered the Super League without suffering a single defeat.

If there is one club that needs to be embarrassed, it’s the one that is being ran like a minnow by president Giannis Alafouzos who in his eight-year stay has accomplished the following:

·         One Greek Cup (2014) while Olympiacos has won 6 Super League titles and two Greek Cups;

·         Panathinaikos are no longer even in the top 200 European clubs in the UEFA Coefficient Rankings while Olympiacos continues to carry the Greek flag in Europe every season;

·         Alafouzos urged fans to clean and paint their home ground due to lack of funds;

·         Team vice-president, Vasilis Konstantinou, parade with a cotton-ball in the media after supposedly getting attacked during a Super League meeting.

Alafouzos needs to look at the train wreck he has created and keep Olympiacos out of his mouth. He has made Panathinaikos, once a team recognized in Europe, an unrecognizable entity in European football. He can complain about Evangelos Marinakis and Olympiacos all he wants, but ultimately, he leaves behind a legacy of complete and utter failure.

If you guys ever want to get an additional fix of Olympiacos, check out my podcast @ThryleOLE or search “Thryle Ole Podcast” on Facebook.

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