Monday’s Europa League draw was the ushering in of the new look knockout phase of Europa’s second most coveted club trophy. In UEFA’s new format, the eight teams that finished third in their Champion’s League groups were paired off against the eight clubs that finished second in their Europa League groups. Europa League teams topping their groups were afforded a reprieve for one round (where was this rule when Atalanta was off topping its Europa League group?!?). As things stand, most Atalantini are probably quite delighted with how the draw played out. Atalanta will face perennial Greek champions Olympiacos, while simultaneously avoiding trickier draws, such as: Real Sociedad, Real Betis, and Rangers (among others).
Atalanta have never played Olympiacos before, and in fact La Dea have only ever played one Greek team in its history – facing off against OFI Heraklion in 1987-1988 Cup Winner’s Cup. It is fitting, and serendipitous, that Atalanta, one of the strongest protagonists in Greek mythology are now paired up against the club that embodies the ancient historical values of Greek Athletics. And as the ancient Greeks dominated the athletic landscape of yesteryear, Olympiacos has put the same kind of vice grip on the Greek Super League. The coastal club from Pireas has won eight of the last ten Super Leagues, and looks poised to win its ninth in eleven this year.
The Greek giants (or should it be gods?) are no slouches when it comes to European competition. Last year, they dispatched PSV in the Europa League Round of 32, before bowing out to Arsenal – who they beat in the same round two years back before succumbing to Wolves. Needless to say Olympiacos has an affinity for advancing in Europe and are most definitely a club that cannot be taken lightly.
The Current Club’s Composition
Portuguese coach Pedro Martins has done well to guide the club back to the top of the Greek table ever since taking over in 2018 – including last year where his club finished a comfortable 15 points above 2nd place finisher, Aris. This year all indications point to proceedings finishing in a similar fashion, with Olympiacos already eight points ahead of its closest rival.
Led by Moroccan international Youssef El-Arabi, who led the Greek League in scoring last year and has chipped in five league goals and three Europa League goals, the Olympiacos attack has been quite even in its distribution. In addition to El-Arabi, Olympiacos has three other players who have contributed four goals in thirteen matches so far. Former Porto star Tiquinho Soares may be the most famous of Olympiacos’s other attackers, but the one to watch out for most is the young midfielder from Guinea, Aguibou Camara.
Camara at the tender age of 20 has already become a staple of the Olympiacos attack. On loan from Lille (where else???), Camara is a classic right footed left winger much in the same mold of Jeremie Boga and Lorenzo Insigne. His shiftiness compliments his good ball skills, and while he’s the quickest accelerator he most definitely has the speed to cause the right side of Atalanta’s defense a bit of trouble. He did not score in his maiden run in the Europa League, but he most definitely made up for his lack of offense by being a pest in the press – contributing 20 presses per match, and over 4 tackles per match (the best among attackers in the Europa League).
As we step a bit further back on the pitch, we’ll keep in country – looking through the lens of another Camara (yes, bad pun I know it). Another Guinean international, Mady Camara, roams the midfield for Olympiacos. Beyond possessing a wicked long shot from the midfield, he’s the metronome in the middle of the pitch for the Greeks, capable of driving the ball forward either with his foot or the pass. A more athletic, less technical (albeit still very skilled) Manuel Locatelli may be the most apt description for the Guinean. Camara is probably due for a big move sooner or later, but while he’s still donning red and white in Greece, Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler will have to stick to him like glue.
There Is No Opponent That Can Be Taken Lightly in Europe
Even with notable impressive names in its squad, Olympiacos is still an opponent that Atalanta should be advancing past. However, playing with this expectation would be an extreme oversight by Gian Piero Gasperini and his scouts – given the quality, experience, and confidence the Greek side possesses. And historically, its a club that is expected to rub shoulders with the best clubs in Europe. The last time Olympicaos failed to reach some sort of international competition was 1991! And in the last three years of Greeks have made it to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, including aforementioned knockout victories over Arsenal and PSV.
Many of the key pieces that led them deep into Europe like: Camara, El-Arabi, and captain Andreas Bouchalakis are still with the squad, making Martins squad quite formidable. The added benefit of being able to walk away with its league, Olympiacos will be at full strength and a fresh handful for La Dea. It should be an enthralling round, and if Atalanta is able to escape to the next round – it should set the boys up well mentally to be prepared for a trudge through the Europa League table!
