Olympiacos 2-0 AEK: Not Vintage but Vital - a Launchpad for the Big Games ahead? | OneFootball

Picture: Eurokinissi | Marilia Vassilakopoulou

The Context: A Win That We Needed, Not One to Remember

After one win in four victories and following a difficult to digest result in Barcelona, the AEK derby was a must win. And while Olympiacos didn’t exactly play champagne football at the Georgios Karaiskakis, they did what mattered most — won. A chance to build momentum and restore confidence.

The 2–0 victory over AEK was far from perfect. In fact, it was at times clunky, slow, and devoid of rhythm. But it was also essential. After a mentally draining October that saw defeats to PAOK, Arsenal and Barcelona, this was a night where Olympiacos needed to stop the bleeding and rediscover belief.

As Ari put it on the show:

The Positives: Results, Resilience, and a Touch of Taremi

Three points. Clean sheet. First derby win of the season. Sometimes, that’s all that matters. Mehdi Taremi was the standout performer — intelligent movement, decisive moments, and clinical execution. He drew the penalty with a smart header against Vida’s arm and then killed the game off with a striker’s finish. He’s now at 7 goal contributions in just 350 minutes, a frankly absurd return rate.

Costinha also had arguably his best game of the season. After a dip in form, he looked more assured both defensively and going forward — a timely reminder of his potential just as Rodinei returned from injury. His crossing was dangerous, his work rate immense, and his confidence growing again.

Elsewhere, Tzolakis bounced back after a tough few weeks with a calm, composed display and one great save versus Gacinovic at the end. Even Bruno — nervy early on — settled and showed glimpses of why Mendilibar can afford to give him more opportunities moving forward.

This was an Olympiacos that looked angry, focused, and disciplined. A team that, at the very least, remembered how to win ugly.

The Negatives: A System That Still Feels Stuck

Both goals came from dead-ball situations — a penalty and a free kick — and the general attacking flow remains mechanical and predictable. There’s little creativity through the middle, an overreliance on one on one wing play and crosses, and almost no support from our wide players defensively.

Daniel Podence is adored by the fans, but his lack of tracking back puts constant strain on the fullbacks. Remy Cabella looks like a fish out of water in Mendilibar’s system. Yazici is played out wide while he can offer more in a free role behind the striker. And while Taremi shone in his role as a second striker, his limited pressing ability left the midfield exposed. Speaking of which…

The Midfield Problem: The Dani Garcia Dilemma

The elephant in the room remains the double pivot: Santiago Hezze and Dani Garcia. Neither are bad players. But together, they’re the antithesis of balance. They don’t win enough balls, don’t progress play quickly enough, and lack vertical movement. As Ari bluntly put it:

The numbers back him up.Olympiacos’ midfield is recovering 35% fewer balls than last season, forcing the defense to clean up and leaving the front three isolated.And with Garcia untouchable in Mendilibar’s eyes, fans are growing increasingly frustrated that Christos Mouzakitis — the 18-year-old phenom courted by clubs in the top 4 European leagues — continues to rot on the bench.

Structural Issues: The System Feels Off

Beyond individuals, the entire shape feels off-balance. The wingers don’t press or track. The fullbacks are overloaded. The midfield doesn’t transition. And when Olympiacos lose the ball, the distance between lines is enormous.

AEK’s mid-block cut through the press far too easily at times. If they had any cutting edge in the final third, this could’ve been a very different scoreline.

Lambros’ warning from the stadium rang loud and true:

The Road Ahead: Between Launchpad and Letdown

The good news? Olympiacos now have three more games at home — the perfect chance to build momentum.Volos (Cup), Aris, and PSV Eindhoven loom large. The bad news? November arrives and we still don’t know our best XI. The midfield remains unsettled. The wings uncertain. The rhythm inconsistent.

Costa put it plainly:

If Olympiacos can string together four straight wins and show purpose against PSV, this AEK win could become the turning point of the season.If not, it will go down as another flattering result masking deep structural flaws.

Grades

Verdict: Olympiacos Must Evolve – Fast

Olympiacos won the battle but the war for consistency has just begun. Winning ugly is fine in October. But if this team wants to dominate Greece and compete in Europe, it must evolve — tactically, mentally, and structurally.

Mendilibar is a legend — he delivered Olympiacos’ first European title. But legends are judged by what they do next. And right now, the next test is staring him straight in the face: PSV Eindhoven. Because 2–0 against AEK bought time. It didn’t buy answers.