AEK – Olympiacos 2-0: Union Reacts at OPAP Arena but Final Bound is Red and White

AEK was seeking ways to heal its wounds and secured a crucial victory. They won against Olympiacos for the first time this season in the OPAP Arena (2-0). However, Olympiacos advanced to the final of the Greek Cup after their 6-0 win at ‘Karaiskakis’. Despite losing to AEK (2-0), Olympiacos is in the Greek Cup final (their 42nd in history) where they will face OFI, aiming to secure the trophy for the 29th time and achieve their 19th double. The match had a high tempo from the start. AEK and Olympiacos played offensively, with AEK pressing high but lacking good ball circulation. AEK attacked mainly from the right wing, with Velde and Bruno having plenty of work but managing it well. Olympiacos kept the home team relatively easily away from their key area. The first real chance came in the 15th minute, with Paschalakis impressively saving Koita’s long shot after a foul ‘combination’. The Greek goalkeeper also saved Piero’s shot through the penalty area in the 27th minute! Olympiacos tried to take the lead, targeting AEK’s left side. Koita and Pelio received help from Simanski and responded. AEK continued pressing for the 1-0 and achieved it in the 37th minute. After an incredible individual effort by Koita – who passed three Olympiacos players – and collaboration with Lioubitsits, the Mauritanian scored. The ball hit Carmo – before Piero – and went into the net. At the start of the second half, Jose Luis Mendilibar made a change in midfield, bringing on Cicinho for Orta. Olympiacos came out strong, but AEK added another goal in the 51st minute. Fernandes faced Paschalakis after Piero’s assist, but the Greek keeper blocked the powerful shot. Seeing Lioubitsits tiring and Olympiacos pressing, Matias Almeyda quickly reacted, bringing on Mandalo for the Croatian. Soon after, he refreshed his lineup further by bringing on Pineda and young Theodoridis for Fernandes and Piero. In the 65th minute, from a counter by Theodoridis, Pineda escaped into space from the right, entered the area under pressure, placed the pass, Ese countered, and the ball narrowly missed. Jose Luis Mendilibar wanted to freshen up Olympiacos further, throwing on Pirola and El Kabbi. In the 77th minute, Petros Mandalo made AEK fans cheer again. The AEK captain, with a perfect direct free-kick execution, sent the ball neatly into Paschalakis’ net, making it 2-0 for the Union. The entry of Rontinei immediately afterward caused AEK fans to boo the Brazilian back. In the 85th minute, Olympiacos almost scored the 2-1, with El Kabbi sending the ball just wide after Cicinho’s turn.