Ayoub El Kaabi suffers fractured tibia in Olympiacos 1-1 draw at Volos
Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi faces six to seven months out following a collision with goalkeeper Marios Siampanis during a 1-1 league draw at Panthessaliko Stadium.
Collision and medical diagnosis
Olympiacos forward Ayoub El Kaabi sustained a left tibia fracture during the first half of Saturday's Super League fixture against Volos at the Panthessaliko Stadium. The Moroccan international had touched the ball past oncoming Volos goalkeeper Marios Siampanis in the 43rd minute when Siampanis crashed into his legs. Referee Giorgos Tzilos awarded a penalty and immediately signaled for emergency assistance as Siampanis and players from both sides reacted in distress. Medical personnel provided initial treatment on the pitch before El Kaabi was stretchered off to applause from spectators in the stands. He was transported to a local hospital before being moved by ambulance to the Athens Medical Center. Christos Theos, head of the club's medical staff, is scheduled to operate on the striker on Sunday morning, 6 September 2026, with an expected recovery time of six to seven months.
Early pressure and first-half penalty
The visiting team dictated possession across the opening half-hour in Volos. Manolis Saliakas produced an unfulfilled chance in the third minute, while Siampanis tipped a 16th-minute Jota Silva header over the crossbar from a Chiquinho corner. Volos suffered an early roster blow in the 17th minute when Hurtado sustained an injury and was replaced by Régis. Francisco Roca fired off target in both the 18th and 34th minutes, and Volos defender Zouhair El Shahabi blocked an El Kaabi effort in the 37th minute. The breakthrough came after Bruno sent a deep ball into the penalty area for El Kaabi in the 43rd minute. Following El Kaabi's extraction, Bryan González entered the match, and Jota Silva converted the resulting spot-kick during first-half stoppage time, dedicating the strike to his injured teammate.
- Siampanis saves Jota Silva header from a Chiquinho corner
- Hurtado is subbed off with an injury for Volos, replaced by Régis
- El Kaabi suffers a fractured tibia in a collision with Siampanis
- Jota Silva scores a penalty to give Olympiacos a 1-0 lead
- Roca is substituted due to a dislocated shoulder
- Comba scores an equalizer for Volos following a defensive turnover
Additional injuries and second-half equalizer
Olympiacos faced further personnel issues as the second half unfolded under manager José Luis Mendilibar. Defender Lorenzo Pirola departed due to physical discomfort and was replaced by David Carmo. Francisco Roca then sustained a dislocated left shoulder after a 58th-minute challenge from Maximiliano Comba and left the pitch in tears in the 60th minute, replaced by Gelson Martins. Medical assessments indicate Roca will be sidelined for 15 to 20 days. In the 75th minute, Siampanis denied a shot from González, and Volos countered a minute later to draw level. An inaccurate pass from Olympiacos captain Panagiotis Retsos forced German keeper Ortega to clear off the line, allowing Charalamboglou to collect the ball and cross for Comba to score from close range.
League standings and squad adjustments
The 1-1 result marks the first dropped points of the Super League season for Olympiacos, leaving the club on seven points after three rounds. Mendilibar introduced Remo Freuler and Sá following the equalizing goal, but the visitors could not restore their lead. Olympiacos management will address El Kaabi's European roster spot in the coming days, with Roman Yaremchuk and Clayton emerging as candidates after continuing regular training sessions despite being left out of recent matchday selections. The long-term absence of the starting forward alters the team's attacking rotation as domestic and continental campaigns intensify. Olympiacos and Volos will face each other again in three days, meeting in Piraeus on 8 September 2026 at 21:45 in the Greek Cup.
