Mendilibar resurrects Olympiacos, propelling them into Greek title contention

In a thrilling encounter at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Olympiacos hosted Volos NFC in a crucial match of the Greek Super League. The home side, under the guidance of Spanish manager José Luis Mendilibar, faced off against Ángel López Pérez's Volos team in a highly anticipated clash.

From the outset, Olympiacos asserted their dominance, controlling possession and dictating the tempo of the game. With a staggering 66% possession rate, Olympiacos showcased their intent to attack and impose their style of play on the opposition.

The match took an unexpected turn in the 6th minute when Volos midfielder Jean Barrientos received a straight red card for a reckless challenge, reducing the away side to 10 men. This early setback proved to be decisive as Volos struggled to cope with Olympiacos' relentless pressure throughout the game.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Volos put up a spirited fight, defending resolutely and thwarting numerous Olympiacos attacks. However, their resistance was eventually broken in the 27th minute when Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring for Olympiacos.

As the first half drew to a close, Olympiacos were awarded a penalty in stoppage time following a foul in the box. El Kaabi stepped up to the spot and coolly converted the penalty, doubling Olympiacos' lead just before halftime.

With a comfortable lead heading into the second half, Olympiacos continued to dominate proceedings, peppering the Volos goal with a barrage of shots. Their persistence paid off in the 87th minute when Stevan Jovetić found the back of the net, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Olympiacos.

Mendilibar revives Olympiacos for Greek title chase

The result marked Olympiacos' sixth consecutive win under Mendilibar's stewardship, solidifying their position as contenders for the league title. Just weeks ago, Olympiacos fans were resigned to a disappointing season, but Mendilibar's arrival has sparked newfound optimism and dreams of championship glory.

With the regular season now concluded, Olympiacos will shift their focus to the playoffs, where they will compete against the top six teams in the league to determine the ultimate champion. Sitting in third place, just three points behind league leaders PAOK, Olympiacos will be eager to carry their momentum into the playoffs and stake their claim for the title.

As they prepare to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Europa Conference League, Olympiacos will draw confidence from their recent performances and look to continue their winning streak on the European stage. Under Mendilibar's guidance, Olympiacos has experienced a remarkable resurgence, and the future looks bright for the Greek giants.