Olympiacos experimented and settled for a 2-2 draw with Mitchell’s Al Cancia

Olympiakos’ third friendly on Dutch soil ended in a draw.

After losing 1-0 to Ajax and winning 2-0 against Belgian Malin, the “red and whites” settled for a draw 2-2 against the Al Cancia of Saudi Arabia, which has at its “helm” the former coach of Piraeus, Mitchell.

The Mendiliber team presented a good competitive image in the first half hour, pressing very high up the pitch, having the initiative of the movements and managing to take the lead from the 17th minute with a goal by Chikinio. However, she saw her opponent find the upset thanks to their goals Quinones (35′) and Aubameyang (47′), while after a “poorer” in chances and a slow second half, he managed to equalize just before the finale (88′), with Rodney.

Next friendly test for Olympiakos in less than 24 hours (Saturday 27/7, 16:00), against the Dutch Nijmegen.

In the mind of the coaches

Mendiliber opted to start the youngster Botti under the posts, with Costinia, Ortega full back and Rezzo, Abi stopper duo. Doi and Mouzakitis found themselves in the axis, with Chilinio just ahead of them, Biel in the role of right winger, Masoura on the left and Kostoula at the top of the attack. Stamenic and Garcia were sidelined with injury problems, while El Kaabi and Pirola did not play, which is expected to happen against Nijmegen. Paschalakis, Martins, Papakanellos, Apostolopoulos, Rodinei and Bakulas competed in the second half.

On the other hand, Mitchell lined up Al Cancia with 4-3-3 and with his eleven consisting of Castells, Layami, Haq, Alsamat, Hassoun, Khazazi, Alkahtani, Quinones, Carrillo and Aubameyang.

The match

The match started with Olympiakos pressing very high, trying to cause the mistake of its opponents, while at the same time it had the initiative of the movements, keeping the ball in its possession for more time. However, it was Al Cancia who created the first final effort, with Alsamat shooting from distance and Botti making a comfortable block, while the Reds really threatened for the first time in the 6th minute when, after proper pressure and a mistake defender pass, Masouras and Kostoulas they cooperated but did not come to a final conclusion.

In the 12th minute, Mitchell’s team threatened again, after Alsamat’s nice cross and the goalless finish at the second post, Quinones, who shot into the drive, out. Olympiacos made their first final in the 16th minute, with Mouzakitis making a beautiful effort and pass for Masoura, who bent but shot just wide, while a minute later (17th minute), the “red and whites” opened the scoring, with him Ortega to make a wonderful effort and cross from the right and with him Chikinio to score with a perfect header.

Superior in the first half hour, Olympiacos threatened again in the 22nd minute, with Masura to come out quickly on the counterattack, also passing Castells, but seeing Alsamat cut him off just before scoring with a crucial tackle, while in the 28th minute Biel and Chikinio they linked up in the Al Cancia box, with the ball ending up for Masoura, who shot home with Castells saving with his right foot.

However, the Saudis found the equalizer in the 35th minute, when after a deep ball the Abby made a mistake and lost the ball to Aubameyang, who passed to Quinones who defeated Botis with a fantastic spin! After their goal, the players of Al Cancia took… the upper hand playing with more confidence, with Olympiakos being the one who “touched” the second goal in the 45th minute, when Kostoulas found him with a counter attack pass Masurawho saw the exit that Castells and tried to “hang” him from afar, without success.

The second half began with Mendilibar replacing Botis with Paschalakis under the posts and Al Cancia taking the lead in the 47th minute when after a superb long ball from Quinones, Aubameyang moved on the backs of Ortega and Abbymaking it 2-1 with a perfect finish.

The pace of the match was slow in the first quarter of the second half, with Olympiakos unable to threaten their opponents’ goal until the 59th minute, when Biel “dug” the ball beautifully for him Chikiniohe went past Castells and crossed, but saw an Al Cancia defender clear just before the ball crossed the line.

In the 64th minute, Medilibar replaced Masoura and Kostula and Gelson Martins and Papacanello, with the Portuguese moving forward and with the “red and whites” looking for the equalizing goal, regaining possession for more time. The more time passed, the more Olympiacos looked for the equalizing goal. In 73′, Biel found space but shot into a defender’s body, while in 88′ the “red and whites” made it 2-2, with Ciquinho finding Rodinei with a wonderful backheel and with the Brazilian full-back making the shot, which ended up in the net, after the ball also went against Alghamdi.

In fact, Olympiacos missed opportunities to win in stoppage time, since in the 90′ Martins made an excellent individual effort but failed to beat Castells, while in the 90’+2′ o Biel he made a good swerving turn at the height of the penalty, but o Chikinio shot too high out on the move.

The composition of Olympiakos (4-2-3-1): Botis (46′ Paschalakis) – Costinia (75′ Rodinei), Retsos, Abi, Ortega (75′ Apostolopoulos) – Mouzakitis, Doi (90′ Bakulas) – Masouras (64′ Papakanellos), Tsikinio, Biel – Kostoulas (64′ Zelson Martins).

Live of the match from sport-fm.gr