Olympiacos 6-0 AEK: A Statement Victory in the Greek Cup Semi-Final First Leg | OneFootball

Greek Cup 24/25 Olympiacos vs. Aek - Marilia Vasilakopoulou/EUROKINISSI

For 10 minutes, AEK seemed as though they might compete. They pressed high, tried to match Olympiacos’s intensity, and looked composed in possession. But then, reality set in.

What followed at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Wednesday night was not just a heavy defeat—it was a demolition. Olympiacos ripped through AEK with a clinical ruthlessness that felt almost inevitable. Six unanswered goals, a statement performance, and a psychological advantage that could define the rest of the season.

José Luis Mendilibar's side came into the game aware of AEK’s vulnerabilities, particularly their defensive fragility when pressed high. They exploited it relentlessly. The pace, energy, and directness of Olympiacos’s attack suffocated Matías Almeyda’s men, who, by the time they had realised what was happening, were already on the receiving end of a battering.

Olympiacos’s statement of intent

Mendilibar has been understated since his arrival in Greece, implementing his ideas with minimal fuss but maximum efficiency. This match was the clearest indication yet that his team is peaking at the right time.

Even with key absentees, Olympiacos’s system functioned seamlessly. Rodinei was deployed as an advanced right-winger rather than a full-back, his dynamism proving too much for AEK to handle. Luis Palma was electric, drifting between the lines, while Bruno Onyemaechi produced an outstanding defensive performance at left-back, completely nullifying AEK’s right side.

The Portuguese midfielder has been a revelation since his return to Piraeus. His movement, positioning, and awareness of space were pivotal, not just in his goals but in how he linked the attack with the midfield. He was everywhere, threading passes into dangerous areas, recycling possession intelligently, and making runs that AEK simply couldn’t track.

A night to remember for Yaremchuk

Perhaps the most intriguing subplot of the night was Roman Yaremchuk. The Ukrainian striker arrived in Greece as a high-profile signing but has struggled to make an impact, his confidence seemingly eroded by a lack of minutes. But against AEK, he looked reborn.

His first goal, a well-taken finish inside the box, set the tone for the evening. His second was a testament to his movement and awareness, peeling away from his marker to slot home with precision. Beyond the goals, Yaremchuk’s work rate was exceptional. His hold-up play, pressing, and ability to create space for others showcased the qualities that once made him a €20 million striker.

With Ayoub El Kaabi forced off through injury, this could be a turning point for Yaremchuk. His performance suggests he is ready to step up when needed.

AEK exposed: No Plan B

Almeyda’s philosophy has been clear since his arrival in Greece—high energy, man-to-man pressing, and an aggressive attacking setup. But against top opposition, it has often looked fragile. This was no different.

AEK’s defensive setup was naïve. Playing a high line with a center-back pairing of Harold Moukoudi and Domagoj Vida—neither of whom are particularly quick—was a gamble that backfired. Olympiacos’s pressing unsettled them early, and once the first goal went in, their collapse felt inevitable.

There were structural issues, too. Jens Jonsson and Orbelín Pineda were bypassed in midfield, overwhelmed by Olympiacos’s movement. Further up the pitch, Steven Zuber and Nordin Amrabat were isolated. Without Levi García—their most physical and explosive attacker—AEK lacked the ability to stretch Olympiacos’s backline.

By the time the fourth goal went in, heads dropped. By the sixth, it felt like damage limitation.

The bigger picture

For Olympiacos, this result will resonate beyond the Greek Cup. It is a psychological blow to their biggest domestic rival just days before the two sides meet again in the league. If this was a warning shot for the title race, it was delivered with lethal precision.

For AEK, the questions are mounting. Almeyda has made them competitive, but has he made them adaptable? Their insistence on a rigid, aggressive style of play has led to moments of brilliance but also to collapses like this.