Panathinaikos 1–1 Olympiacos: Thrylos Leave It Late to Snatch a Derby Point

Lambros Syrmos
Sep 22
2 min read

Olympiacos rescued a valuable point in the dying moments of Sunday night’s eternal derby, drawing 1–1 with Panathinaikos at Leoforos. While the performance left much to be desired, a stoppage-time equalizer ensured the Reds spoiled their rival’s party and kept pace in the Super League title race.

First-Half Frustrations

Manager José Luis Mendilibar rang the changes, making six alterations to the starting XI and fielding a young lineup with an average age just over 25. The experiment, however, backfired early. Olympiacos looked disjointed and sluggish, lacking creativity in midfield and failing to create clear chances. Panathinaikos, under pressure after a poor start to the season and a managerial change, were sharper and more aggressive.

A costly defensive error gifted the hosts the opener early on in the second half. Defender Panos Retsos' attempted pass across the backline from the free kick was intercepted, leading to a swift through-ball and finish that put Panathinaikos ahead.

Podence Sparks Life

For long stretches, Olympiacos struggled to break down their rivals’ compact defense. The introduction of Daniel Podence changed the rhythm of the match. His direct running and incisive passing finally gave Thrylos some attacking edge, and paired with Mehdi Taremi’s link-up play alongside El Kaabi, Olympiacos began to look dangerous.

El Kaabi had multiple opportunities to equalize, including a chipped effort and a close-range strike denied by Tuba. Persistence finally paid off, as El Kaabi found the net in stoppage time to rescue a point.

Key Performers

Daniel Podence – Transformed the attack after coming on, his creativity and urgency shifted the momentum.
'Pancho' Ortega – Solid at left-back, showing defensive stability and energy going forward.
El Kaabi – Wasteful at times, but ultimately the man who delivered when it mattered most.
Scipioni – Provided bite in midfield, impressing with defensive interventions in an otherwise shaky unit.

The Bigger Picture

The draw keeps Olympiacos unbeaten in the league, though frustrations remain about the quality of football on display. Supporters voiced concerns about the lack of creativity, slow build-up play, and overreliance on defensive solidity. Still, Mendilibar emphasized rotation and patience. September is too early to panic.

With fixtures against Asteras Tripolis (Cup), Levadiakos (League), and Arsenal (Champions League) on the horizon, Olympiacos must quickly raise its level. The late derby equalizer may prove a psychological boost heading into a demanding run of matches.

⚽ Final Score: Panathinaikos 1–1 Olympiacos

📍 Venue: Leoforos Stadium, Athens

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