Return of the King: Olympiacos Eyes the Double | OneFootball

Eurokinissi | Marilia Vassilakopoulou

Olympiacos didn’t just win the league. They took it back. With a swagger, a system, and a squad that matured over the course of the season, Thrylos reminded everyone in Greek football exactly who the top dog is.

As we turn the page on the regular season, a 1-0 away win at Panathinaikos put the final punctuation mark on a campaign defined by dominance. And now? The Cup final against OFI looms, with history in the air and a double on the line.

DERBY DOMINANCE, TITLE STATEMENT

Let’s be clear: this wasn’t a close race. Olympiacos started the playoffs seven points clear. They finished sixteen ahead. That’s not a title race. That’s a hell of a statement.

15 derbies played. 10 wins. 3 draws. 2 losses. That’s as dominant a record as you’ll see. In the matches that mattered most, Olympiacos didn’t just show up—they showed out. Big wins over PAOK, AEK and Panathinaikos weren’t just important for the table; they were declarations of superiority.

CHANGING GEARS, CHANGING CULTURE

The most telling part? Olympiacos have looked like they’re operating in third gear since sealing the title. Whether it’s a rotated squad or a more relaxed tempo, the job’s been done with efficiency, not extravagance. And still, the wins kept coming.

Mendilibar has instilled a rare combination: intensity when needed, composure when cruising. His system is built for sustainability, and the numbers back it up. Olympiacos closed the season with their xG nearly matching actual goals, after months of inefficiency earlier in the year. The process worked. It caught up with reality.

A YOUTHFUL EDGE FOR THE FUTURE

This wasn't just a season of success. It was a season of structure. The youngest team in the Super League. The most minutes given to U21 players. And two more academy stars—Argiris Liatsikouras and Stavros Pnevmonidis—set to join first-team training this summer.

While other clubs haemorrhage talent or fumble long-term planning, Olympiacos are building. The future isn’t a promise; it’s a process that’s already underway.

CUP FINAL: A MOMENT OF CAUTION

And yet, the job isn’t done. Not yet. Saturday brings the Greek Cup final against OFI. A team that hasn’t seen this stage in 35 years. A club hungry for silverware. And yes, one with nothing to lose.

Olympiacos? Heavy favorites. But therein lies the risk. Confidence cannot become complacency. Fans feel it. One Olympiacos fan summed it up perfectly: “I’m worried because I’m not worried.”

The squad has rotated across the last few matches, likely in preparation. But who starts? Does Tzolakis get the nod over Paschalakis? Will Dani Garcia anchor midfield again? Can Kostoulas return in time? One thing's certain: this club hasn’t lifted a double since 2020. The chance to finish the centenary year with two trophies is everything.

A DYNASTY REBORN?

Looking ahead, there’s genuine reason to believe this isn’t a one-off. The squad is balanced. The contracts are stable. The Champions League money is secured. The youth are rising. The transfers will be strategic.

Olympiacos, for the first time in years, aren’t just back on top. They’re built to stay there. The vibes? Immaculate. The vision? Crystal clear.

On Saturday, they can seal it all. The league. The cup. The crown.

And maybe, just maybe, the dawn of a new red-and-white dynasty.

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