Five reasons why Olympiacos can beat Lyon and turn the mood around after Aris disaster class | OneFootball

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What's likeliest? Olympiacos beating Lyon on Thursday in their first Europa League match of the season at the Groupama Stadium or Ramon winning the Ballon d'Or in the next three years?

While most of you are laughing after reading this sentence, a significant number of you are actually getting images of Lambros Syrmos celebrating in the streets of Honolulu - all alone - for his favourite player's triumph in Paris.

Thrylos suffered a horrendous return to action after the international break with a goalless snore fest at Georgios Karaiskakis against Panetolikos and a disgraceful 2-1 loss to Aris in Salonika.

Those uninspiring displays, which were devoid of any sort of creativity or flare, make it look like Jose Luis Mendilibar's side are down for the count.

Well, not quite. And here's why:

It's true that Jose Luis Mendilibar's high press hasn't been doing the business for Olympiacos so far this season in the Greek Superleague.

But that is because the reigning Europa Conference League winners have been playing against inferior opposition in Volos, Kallithea, Lamia, Panetolikos and Aris - all of whom were more keen to attend a Donald Trump rally and stay throughout the whole thing than unpark the bus.

Lyon, though, are the kind of club that will be up for it and will go for the jugular against Olympiacos in France, which means they will leave spaces open and could fall victim to Mendi-ball just like Aston Villa and Fiorentina.

Remember, though, that is still no excuse as Olympiacos have to win all of their matches - especially the ones against inferior opponents.

2. Jose Luis Mendilibar

Jose Luis Mendilibar is an absolute master when it comes to cup competitions, especially the European ones.

Mendilibar has won the Europa League and Europa Conference League in the space of just two years and made it look rather easy.

The Spanish tactician admitted to his mistakes against Aris during training at Renti. If the ex-Sevilla boss has truly learned from his errors then we may indeed be set to see a completely different Olympiacos side that is in no way lacking quality. Remember, it is not unusual for teams to struggle to click in the months of August or September. But it is imperative they find a groove as soon as possible.

3. Willian

Let's talk about Willian, you know the 36-year-old who has already been damned as a flop by many - I wonder how many of those actually went to Marcelo's unveiling at Karaiskakis...

It is true that Olympiacos have seen their fair share of big-name flops in the last few years - James Rodriguez, Sime Vrsaljko, Marcelo, Rafinha... But all the stats and findings showed all of the aforementioned were finished when they moved to Piraeus.

The Chelsea legend, on the other hand, moved to Piraeus after two full seasons in the Premier League with Fulham! More specifically, in the 2022-23 season the winger made 27 Prem appearances (25 as a starter) and then registered 31 Prem appearances (24 as a starter). The Cottagers offered the ex-Brazil international a new one-year contract and ex-Olympiacos boss Marco Silva was desperate to keep him at Craven Cottage.

The Brazilian is admittedly at an advanced age and has barely had enough time to catch up with his team-mates having arrived earlier this month. But when it comes to the match against Panetolikos, Willian was near perfect when it came to passing, long balls, positioning and runs.

It would obviously be much better if the former Arsenal player joined Olympiacos five years ago - and I discovered Facebook first in 2004 - but his recent track record, professional ethos and even the fact that he isn't playing with the pressure of the superstar could finally help him come through in a big match - something most star players do.

4. Ayoub El Kaabi

During the closing stages of the Aris game I had only one thought more depressing than the realisation that Olympiacos are going to lose at Charilaou.

And I'm not talking about the one I got that said Thrylos were at risk of remaining winless for three straight matches across all competitions.

What made it even more depressing was the thought that Olympiacos could go three straight matches without scoring a single goal, based on the awful performances against Panetolikos and Aris as well as the fact that both are worse than Lyon.

The fact that Olympiacos failed harder at crossing the ball than I did at dating during my university years gave me the chills. But that late El Kaabi goal against Aris might have given Jose Luis Mendilibar's side exactly the sort of silver lining they needed.

Olympiacos are the kind of team that can't go too long without scoring as it severely hampers the general mood. But that one goal by El Kaabi may have broken the duck that allows the team to now build some momentum on top of it.

Plus the fact that the Morocco international finished last season as the Europa Conference League's top goalscorer with 11 goals in nine appearances also helps.

The fact the striker has already registered three goals and one assist in five games is nice as well...

5. Lyon struggles

Olympiacos have been disappointing in the last two weeks, but Lyon have been poor all season.

The French giants have lost three out of five matches in Ligue 1, one of which they just managed to win 4-3 against Strasbourg.

That has led to Pierre Sage's side tumbling down to 14th place in the table and Sunday's heartbreaking last-gasp 3-2 loss to Marseille at the Groupama Stadium has added insult to injury.

Lyon have also conceded 11 goals already, which means there is no reason to count Olympiacos' attack out after already scoring eight goals in five matches.

P.S.: Of course this whole piece can age about as well as expired milk in the Sahara desert, but it's still very early doors in the season for Olympiacos who also found themselves in the dumps last year around this time after a miserable loss to Freiburg, THAT derby with Panathinaikos and a dismal display at Backa Topola. But they still found the strength to beat West Ham...

P.S. 2: For those who haven't heard, Thrylos 7 International has been nominated by the Football Content Awards for Best International Podcast! If you haven't done so, please vote for us HERE

P.S. 3: Ari Bouloubassi, Costa Levoyanni, Lambro Syrmo, Martial Debeaux and Dimitri Kouimtsidi, I salute you all!