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2026-07-26 15:07 UTC → 2026-07-31 21:03 UTC ·
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Olympiacos 2026 pre‑season: 2026: defensive lapses and European start
During its In July 2026 pre‑season, Olympiacos played a series of televised Olympiacos’ pre‑season friendlies as preparation for the Champions League third‑qualifying round. A 3‑0 loss to Antwerp on 24 July was followed by a 3‑2 defeat to AZ Alkmaar, where the Greeks surrendered a 2‑0 halftime lead. Subsequent matches against Anderlecht, Ajax, Raków Częstochowa and Leuven revealed exposed a recurring defensive problem: weakness: after taking early leads, the team kept clean sheets early but conceded allowed all nine goals in the final 20 minutes of the six games—three matches – three each against Anderlecht and AZ Alkmaar, and one each versus the other opponents. Ajax, Raków Częstochowa and Leuven. Commentator Kostas Nikolakopoulos highlighted attributed the pattern to fatigue, ineffective second‑half substitutions and an inability to adjust react to opponent changes. Injuries to midfielder Santiago Esé and left‑back Manolis Saliakas added to concerns, giving the coach José Luis Mendilibar a clearer view of squad weaknesses Mendilibar’s concerns ahead of the upcoming Champions League third‑qualifying round. Despite the defensive issues, Olympiacos confirmed a minimum Europa League group‑stage place and announced its squad numbers for the 2026/27 season. Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega will wear No 1; the defence includes Smajlović (4), Pirólá (5), Karmo (6) and newcomer Saliakas (2). The side’s first European tie. match, against a Dutch opponent, is set for early May, marking the start of its continental campaign.