AO Kavala vs Olympiacos Match Preview
Olympiakos attempt to rebound from last week’s 1-0 derby defeat to AEK when they travel to Kavala. Last Saturday’s defeat kept Olympiakos top of the table, but allowed rivals Panathinaikos to join them there on 27 points after 12 matches.
Though the club has had a mounting injury crisis, the good news is that Vasilis Torosidis should be back in time for Sunday’s match. Olof Mellberg will miss out again and it was confirmed this week that Albert Riera will be out until after the New Year.
Kavala have been the surprise story of the Greek League season so far, the club currently sitting in 3rd place in the standings alongside AEK. Last weekend a late equalizer stretched the club’s unbeaten run to three matches and there is a growing belief amongst supporters that a Europa League spot is there for the taking.
AO Kavala vs Olympiacos Match Report
A 41st minute penalty by David Fuster enabled Olympiakos to overcome a tough Kavala side 1-0. It was the first win for the Piraeus club in Kavala for 11 years and it was as difficult as they come. Kavala looked a well drilled side who gave nothing away and had a couple opportunities themselves to claim something from this fixture.
The goal that decided the match came from 12 yards out just before the half as Fuster sent Mario Galinovic the wrong way to give Ernesti Valverde’s side the lead. It was Olympiakos’ first successful penalty of the season after three consecutive misses. Ioannis Fetfatzidis had won the spot-kick after being taken down in the box.
Kevin Mirallas nearly doubled his team’s advantage in the second half, but his shot was smothered by Igor Tomasic. Kavala’s best chance came when Nemanja Vucicevic shot wide from the top of the box in the 62nd minute.