Olympiacos Welcome Internationals Back Ahead of Derby Clash Against Panathinaikos

According to a report by media outlet Sport24.gr, Super League Greece side Olympiacos have started preparing for their derby game against Panathinaikos with greater intensity since Wednesday, when the club saw several of its players rejoin their teammates at the club after serving their national team during the international break. As per the article, at least five players returned to Rentis from international duties, in addition to three who had already come back.

Manager Imanol Alguacil will be elated by the fact that several of his players have now joined the team, which includes the likes of Panagiotis Retso, Manolis Saliakas, Marcus Pedersen, Roman Yaremchuk, Zinedine Smailovic, Balsa Popovic, Nair Tiknisian and Bruno Oniemaeci. 

It is expected that all of these players, who returned to Rentis earlier than expected, will resume training with their teammates on Thursday. It is to be noted that the players named have already trained for a day after joining rehabilitation since coming back from international duties.

The players who are yet to return to the club, namely Remo Freuler, Armando González and David Carmo, are expected to return to Rentis on Thursday morning. Sport24.gr wrote, “...reports indicate that Gustavo Puerta will go for rehabilitation in the afternoon, as he is the last to return from his duties with the Colombian national team.”

Imanol Alguacil will be excited at the fact that he has his full squad at his disposal before the big game commences on Sunday. As per the article, the Spanish manager wishes to have a minimum of two training sessions with his players before the derby, thus giving him time to analyse their form and prepare well for the derby in the last few days leading up to the match.

Sport24.gr noted in its report, “Beyond that, the important thing for Imanol is that, apart from waiting to see how and how tired the internationals will return, he does not face any real problems ahead of the derby with Panathinaikos.” Players who were previously injured, namely Leon Bailey and Gustavo Sa, have both rejoined training and are expected to be available for the game on Sunday.

As things stand, barring any sudden developments that could complicate matters, Olympiacos are in a favourable position heading into the derby with Panathinaikos, especially with key players available. Imanol Alguacil and the fans of Olympiacos will definitely be hoping for a strong performance from the squad, and a victory will surely be the sole result that will be wished for and fought for.