Olympiacos’ preparations are entering the final stretch ahead of Sunday’s derby against Panathinaikos at “G. Karaiskakis Stadium” for Matchday 6 of the Stoiximan Super League.
With most of the international players returning, Imanol Alguacil is beginning to finalize his lineup, with Panagiotis Retsos serving as the key anchor in defense. Lorenzo Piola and David Carmo remain in contention for the position next to him, with the latter coming off a solid and particularly strong performance with the Angolan national team.
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Remo Freuler’s condition is expected to play a decisive role in the midfield selections. The Swiss player has been under significant strain recently, having played consecutive 90-minute matches for both Olympiacos and his national team, and the coaching staff will assess his readiness before making any final decisions. Al-Ghuathil is also considering a formation with more strength in the midfield, which could shift to a 4-1-4-1 during the match, with the goal of helping the “Red-and-Whites” control the battle in midfield.
Armando González and Gustavo Puerta are also expected at Renti today after completing their duties with their national teams. González played 64 minutes as a starter in Mexico’s loss to Chile, while Puerta played for an hour in Colombia’s victory over Peru and was particularly active, with two key passes, two shots on goal, and a high pass completion rate. Both players’ condition will be assessed immediately, partly due to the long trips they’ve just completed.
Alguathil wants to have a clear picture of everyone’s physical condition before finalizing the starting lineup, as the derby kicks off a particularly demanding stretch for Olympiacos, with nine games in Greece and Europe over the course of 29 days. Meanwhile, Ayub El Kaabi has already begun his rehabilitation program at Renti following his surgery, though the Moroccan still has a long way to go before returning to action.
*photo source: KYPE
