Match Review: Olympiacos vs. Asteras AKTOR (1-1) | OneFootball

Olympiacos vs. Asteras AKTOR: Giorgos Matthaios/EUROKINISSI

Olympiacos faced off against Asteras AKTOR in a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium. Despite dominating possession and creating a plethora of chances, the Red and Whites failed to convert their opportunities, dropping two crucial points.

Pre-Match Context

This fixture came on the heels of Olympiacos' impressive performances in January, where they remained unbeaten across all competitions. However, with key absences due to injuries and suspensions—most notably David Carmo, Panagiotis Retsos, and Rodinei —the team saw a partially reshuffled line-up from manager Jose Luis Mendilibar.

The match also carried significant emotional weight as it followed the anniversary of the Gate 7 disaster, a tragic event in the club’s history that claimed the lives of 21 Olympiacos supporters in 1981. A moment of remembrance was observed before kick-off, with players and fans paying tribute to the victims.

Match Summary

First Half: The game got off to a disastrous start for Olympiacos. Within the opening minutes, Asteras capitalised on a defensive lapse, with the visitors catching Thrylos off guard to take an early lead. The defensive pair of Lorenzo Pirola and Giulian Biancone seemed to struggle with their positioning, allowing the opposition to break through.

However, Olympiacos responded swiftly. In the 24th minute, a cross from Costinha took a fortunate deflection, falling to Ayoub El Kaabi, who quickly laid it off for Chiquinho. The Portuguese midfielder struck it cleanly, and thanks to a slight deflection, the ball found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.

From that moment, Olympiacos dominated the game, applying constant pressure. They controlled possession and generated several dangerous opportunities but failed to find a breakthrough.

Second Half: The second half saw more of the same: Olympiacos maintaining the ball and bombarding the Asteras defense with crosses — 63 in total — but struggling to score even from its clear-cut opportunities. A glaring issue was their inefficiency in front of goal, with El Kaabi missing multiple sitters and several other attacking moves breaking down in the final third.

Jose Luis Mendilibar made substitutions, introducing Kristoffer Velde and Luis Palma to inject fresh attacking options. However, the changes did not bring the desired effect, with Palma looking out of place on the right flank and failing to make a significant impact in his debut. More notably, Andre Horta remained on the bench despite being an obvious candidate to add creativity to the midfield.

Asteras defended resolutely, absorbing the pressure and frustrating Olympiacos until the final whistle. The home side had one last opportunity deep into stoppage time, but El Kaabi failed to make the right decision, opting to hold onto the ball rather than set up a teammate for a last-ditch effort.

Key Takeaways

1. Missed Opportunities: Olympiacos recorded 20 total shots but converted just one. Their inability to finish clear chances cost them dearly.

2. Predictable Attacking Patterns: The team relied too heavily on crosses, playing into the strengths of Asteras’ tall center-backs. There was little penetration through the middle, making their attack one-dimensional.

3. Substitutions & Tactical Adjustments: Mendilibar’s late substitutions raised questions. Andre Horta’s absence, in particular, left fans puzzled, as he could have provided the midfield spark needed to break down Asteras’ defense.

4. Defensive Concerns: The early goal exposed vulnerabilities in the backline, particularly in communication and positioning. Despite stabilising after the opening minutes, the defensive rotation seemed to disrupt the usual cohesion.

Match MVP: Chiquinho

As voted by the fans, Chiquinho earned the Man of the Match award. The Portuguese midfielder not only scored the equaliser but was also active throughout the game, attempting to drive play forward despite the team’s overall inefficiency.

Coach’s Grade: F

Jose Luis Mendilibar receives a failing grade for this match. While his line-up choices were understandable given squad rotations, his game management was questionable. The late substitutions, reluctance to introduce Horta, and lack of in-game tactical adjustments made Olympiacos predictable and ultimately cost them two points.

Final Thoughts

Olympiacos remain unbeaten in 22 games, but this draw will feel like a missed opportunity. With crucial fixtures ahead—including a trip to Panserraikos and home derby clashes against PAOK and AEK Athens—the team must quickly address their finishing woes and find alternative attacking solutions against defensive-minded opponents. The title race is theirs to lose, but these types of performances could prove costly down the stretch.