Olympiacos prepares for the Eternal Derby against Panathinaikos
Olympiacos is finalizing its preparations for the upcoming 'Eternal Derby' against Panathinaikos, scheduled for October 11, 2026, at 21:00 at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. This match marks the 6th round of the Stoiximan Super League and serves as the first major derby for head coach Imanol Alguacil. Following the international break, the team has been working on tactical coherence, specifically focusing on defensive structure, midfield control, and higher efficiency in the final third. Coach Alguacil emphasized the need for patience in ball circulation and aggressive pressing to disrupt the opponent's play.
The squad remains largely healthy, with Gustavo Sa returning from injury, though El Kaabi is noted as an absentee. The manager has selected a 24-man squad for the encounter, excluding players like Lorenzo Scipioni and Clayton. Experienced midfielder Kostas Fortounis expressed optimism about the team's readiness under the new management, highlighting the importance of winning individual duels. The technical staff is currently evaluating the physical state of Remo Freuler, who has faced a heavy playing schedule recently, to determine the final starting XI. The team aims to utilize this high-stakes match to climb back to the top of the league standings.