It has not been long since Imanol Alguacil took charge of Olympiacos as head coach, but some clear differences are already beginning to emerge.
Alguacil did not get off to the best start, losing his first Greek Super League match 1-0 to OFI Crete on September 12. However, his arrival had been confirmed only hours earlier, so it was understandable that he might struggle in his first few matches.
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Nevertheless, he subsequently led Olympiacos to a 2-1 victory over Jagiellonia Białystok in the UEFA Europa League on September 16. He has not lost a match since. Since that European fixture, he has played six more games and won all of them.
Olympiacos defeated Levadiakos 1-0, won the same scoreline against Panathinaikos in the Eternal Enemies derby, and pulled off a surprising 1-0 Europa League win over Olympique de Marseille on October 15. They then beat Panetolikos 2-0, Sparta Prague 1-0, and Kalamata 5-0.
Ahead of the Greek Cup match against Marko, Greek media have been examining the changes Alguacil has introduced to the team. Specifically, Vasilis Samprakos discussed the Spanish coach’s impact on the “Mind Game” program on Sport24.
According to the expert, one of the most noticeable changes Alguacil has brought to Olympiacos is the team’s intensity. This doesn’t refer only to pressing, as the coach also approaches and develops other aspects of the game differently from his predecessor, José Luis Mendilibar.
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What stands out is that Alguacil has changed not only the team’s intensity but also how he wants his players to control the ball. According to Samprakos, Alguacil demands that his players give everything they have, even if it leaves them exhausted and forces him to substitute them. He doesn’t hold back when it comes to managing his squad.
A typical example appears in his final three matches in Spain, when he used a different full-back in each game. The same approach is now evident at his new club, and it closely reflects his desire to keep his squad fresh.
The full-back positions appear to be particularly important to the Spanish coach’s system, as Alguacil needs his players in those roles to contribute in both attack and defense throughout all 90 minutes.
One issue that seems to concern Alguacil is how his defensive line reacts when the ball is played in behind them. In this regard, Sport24 suggests the coach look for players who better suit his needs when the January transfer window opens.
