Maccabi’s historic run in the Conference League reaches a new peak on Thursday (19:45) as Robbie Keane’s side face Greek giants Olympiacos for the first leg of the Round of 16. Shortly before Maccabi take on Olympiacos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, we take a close look into the Greek giants.
This is the second time Maccabi face Olympiacos in the EUROPA League 3rd qualifying round of the 2010/11 season. Roberto Colauti headed the winner at Bloomfield as Maccabi won the first leg 1-0 before Haris Medunjanin scored a consolation penalty in Greece which proved enough to secure a 2-2 draw and qualification to the Playoffs on the away goals rule.
A positive momentum before Maccabi?
Olympiacos reached the Round of 16 after spending most of their European season in then EUROPA League and finished third in a group that included West Ham, Freiburg and Backa Topola. After dropping into the Conference League Playoff phase, Olympiacos beat Hungarian side Ferencvaros 2-0 on aggregate playing one of their best matches in the past two years to restore some confidence.
Olympiacos’ recent good form is in complete contrast to last season’s big disappointment when their hopes of reaching the Champions League were ended by Maccabi Haifa in the qualifying stage. Last season’s disappointment led to the playing squad undergoing a massive overhaul.
In terms of their domestic league campaign, on the eve of the match against Maccabi, Olympiacos are currently ranked third in the Greek table. Olympiacos trail leaders Paok Thessaloniki by three points and are two points adrift of champions AEK Athens.
Olympiacos host Maccabi at the 33,334 capacity Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium which is set to be full – a star contract to Maccabi’s previous visit 14 years ago as the match was staged behind closed doors.
A EUROPA League winner on the touchlines
The role of the Head Coach at Olympiacos hasn’t been the most stable recently as Jose Luis Mendilibar was appointed last month. The 62-year-old Spaniard who managed for over 15 years in La Liga at Athletic Bilbao, Valladolid, Osasuna, Levante, Eibar, Alaves and Sevilla replaced Carlos Carbahal who was dismissed after three months only. Diego Martinez began the 2023/24 campaign but he was also dismissed in December due to a poor start to the season.
It seems however that despite the managerial changes, Olympiacos are enjoying a positive momentum under Mendilibar who won the EUROPA League with Sevila last season.
Olympiacos’ big name squad
The squad of Olympiacos features a host of quality players as the leading name is 28-year-old Portuguese winger Daniel Podence who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Olympiacos’ captain and Greek playmaker Kostas Fortunounis and winger Georgios Masouras. Moroccan international striker Ayoub El Kaabi leads the attack with 15-league goals this season as he edged out fellow countryman and vice-captain Youssef El Arabi. 28-year-old Portuguese midfielder Chiquinnho arrived from Benfica is also a big name, but the player with the most prolific career is 34-year-old Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic. The former Partizan Belgrade, Fiorentina, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Sevila, Monaco and Hertha striker will challenge Maccabi’s defense as he normally makes an appearance from the substitutes bench.
Olympiacos’ back-line is not short of quality either and includes Panagiotis Retsos and David Carmo who arrived from Porto on loan. Brazilian full back Rodinei causes a threat from his wide position while Israeli international Doron Leidner recently recovered from a long-term knee injury and will not face Maccabi after not being registered to play.
