Successful “test” with Roma for Olympiakos and Velde!

Although difficult, the friendly “test” of Olympiakos with the Rome.

Jose Luis Mendiliber’s team drew 1-1 with the Giallorossi in Rieti, Italy, putting on a very good face. In fact, he could have won the game, which was essentially more threatening than the home team. In general – given also the level of the opponent – he showed very good elements, taking things from pressingwhile in some cases he also produced nice ones collaborations.

The leader, for the Piraeus, was Christopher Velde. The Norwegian winger – after debuting (as a substitute) with a goal in yesterday’s friendly against Ternana – one day later he started as a starter, being the most threatening from the Olympiakos side and having, among other things, penalty kick won and beam!

Up close and Bakulas -a change was made, more as a precaution, in the finale- and o Kostoulaswhile quite active was also Biel.

Both goals were penalty kicks. Roma opened the scoring with Pellegrini in the 17′ (Tzolakis almost caught it), with the -leader for today for Olympiakos- Rodney to equate in the same way to 22′.

Now, after the return from Italy, for Olympiakos the friendlies follow Nottingham Forest in “G. Karaiskakis” (8/8, 21:00) and Ari Limassol in Cyprus (10/8, 20:30), to then start his official duties, against Volos (17/8, 20:00) for the Stoiximan Super League.

In the coach’s mind:

THE Jose Luis Mendilibar lined up Olympiakos with a system 4-2-3-1 and the Tzolakis in the hearth. At the right end of the defense o Rodneyon the left o Ortegawith Biancon and Pirola to compose the duo in the stoppers. The corresponding midfielders were Doe and Bakulasby Chikinio in front of them in a free role. Right in the midfield line o Bielleft o Welde and at the top o Kostoulas.

As in yesterday’s friendly with Ternana the Spanish coach made a few changes (giving plenty of time to the starting line-up, just like yesterday with Ternana). In fact, barely two!

Specifically, Retsos replaced Pirola, with the Greek central defender going to Biancone’s side (who played as a left stopper), while his more proactive Muzakite instead of Bakula.

The match:

The match started at a pace, but without many phases. Olympiakos was the one who started to try first, while quite quickly he started to press high, even reaching recoveries in key points (such as Kostoula and Velde).

However, it was typically the home side who opened the scoring, with the referee pointing the white arrow at 15′after marking it Ortega of Abraham. In a phase that was not clearly seen from the replay if there is a violation, with the “red and white” bench protesting. The execution at 17′ was taken over by Pellegriniwho saw him Tzolakis to fall correctly and find the ball, but it got away from him and ended up in the net.

A development that not only did not drop Olympiakos, but on the contrary it seems that it… made him stubborn. After first the Mendiliber players warned with their shots Welde (18′) and Biel (20′), at 21′ it was Piraeus’ turn to win the penalty. Celik overthrew him Welde, who even showed that he was in a lot of pain, while he stayed out of the field for a long time until he returned again. The execution at 22′ took over the leader of the “red and whites” in the match, Rodneywho made it 1-1 by scoring from the bottom right, with Svilar falling just right, but unable to make the save.

Towards the end of the first half, Olympiacos had new phases with them Bakula and Kostoulawhile he also made a key comeback in a counterattack by the dangerous Abraham, with the two teams going to the locker room tied (1-1).

No change at the start of the second half for Olympiakos. On the contrary, enough for the “jalorossi”, with Dobbik even making his debut (as Soule did from the beginning).

The Greek team continued to be quite active, with Velde playing an important role in this. Not alone, of course, with Bakula and Kostoula also getting plenty of tries. Meanwhile, in the 54th minute, Roma had a great chance with Dybala.

In general, in the following minutes, the Romans were more threatening. Until we get to 74′when Olympiacos had beam! Very nice energy and cross from Biel, crazy header from him Welde from the second post, with the ball resting on the crossbar.

In the 76th minute, Retsos came on instead of Pirola, to form a duo with Biancone (who played as a left stopper).

Nothing changed in the remaining minutes, with 1-1 remaining until the final.

Watch the match live here.

The compositions of the two teams:

Roma (Daniele De Rossi): Svilar – Celik (46′ Aboubakar), Mancini (46′ Smalling), Ediga (69′ Koumboula), Angelino (82′ Dahl) – Le Fie (82′ Dahl), Cristand (46′ Beauvais), Soule (69′ Picilli ), Pellegrini (46′ El Saraoui), Zalewski (46′ Dybala) – Abraham (46′ Dobbik).

Olympiakou (Jose Luis Mediliber): Tzolakis – Rodinei, Biancone, Pirola (76′ Retsos), Ortega – Doi, Bakulas (88′ Mouzakitis) – Biel, Ciquinho, Velde – Kostoulas.