Olympiacos kicked off their Greek Super League season with a solid 2-0 win against Volos
at Panthessaliko Stadium.
While the result was positive, the performance left room for both optimism and concern as Jose
Luis Mendilibar’s side showed both strengths and areas in need of improvement.
Here’s a breakdown of three positive and three negative aspects of their victory.
Negative 1: Lack of Impact from Velde
Despite the team’s overall success, Kristoffer Velde's performance was a noticeable weak point. The
winger struggled to make an impact, failing to deliver any key passes or crosses and not
registering a single shot on target.
Moreover, he lost possession 11 times, which disrupted the flow of Olympiacos' attacks. His
substitution in the 71st minute was a clear indication that Mendilibar expects more from the
Norwegian as the season progresses.
Positive 1: Gelson Martins Shines with Two Assists
On the flip side, Gelson Martins delivered an outstanding performance, proving to be the
creative force behind Olympiacos’ victory. His two assists were a testament to his vision and
precision.
Martins set up Rodinei for the opening goal with a perfect cross and later threaded a superb
pass to Giorgos Masouras for the second. His form will be crucial for Olympiacos this
season, especially as fans await the possible return of Daniel Podence.
Negative 2: Missed Opportunities Despite Numerical Advantage
After Volos’ Lucas Villafanez was sent off in the 32nd minute, Olympiacos had a significant
numerical advantage for the majority of the match. However, they struggled to fully capitalize on
this, with the game lacking urgency and flow at times.
The team’s inability to break down Volos’ defense more effectively, despite having more
possession and a man advantage, is something that Mendilibar will need to address as they
face tougher opponents in the coming weeks.
Positive 2: Santiago Hezze’s Commanding Presence
Santiago Hezze stood out in midfield, showing his quality from the get-go. The Argentine
midfielder was instrumental in controlling the tempo of the game, completing 8 out of 11 long
passes, winning 9 out of 11 duels, and contributing a key pass. His ability to dictate play and
break up opposition attacks will be vital for Olympiacos as they aim to reclaim the league title.
Negative 3: Pre-season Rust Evident in the Team’s Rhythm
At various points in the match, Olympiacos’ play was sluggish, with moments that felt more like
pre-season than a competitive league game. The lack of fluidity and sharpness in their play,
especially in the final third, suggests that the team is still shaking off the rust and finding their
rhythm.
Positive 3: A Strong Defensive Display
Despite the occasional lapses in attack, Olympiacos can take pride in their solid defensive
performance. The backline, anchored by Rodinei and Lorenzo Pirola, managed to keep Volos at bay,
limiting them to very few clear-cut chances.
The clean sheet will give the team confidence as they move forward, knowing that their defense
can hold strong even when the attack is not firing on all cylinders.
Conclusion
Olympiacos’ 2-0 win over Volos was a solid start to the season, but it showed there’s still work
to be done.
Gelson was on fire, and Hezze bossed the midfield, giving fans plenty to be
excited about. Still, they’ll need to keep up their intensity and fine-tune their attacking game if
they want to keep winning in the coming weeks.
Comments