Opening breakthrough in Larissa

Olympiacos opened its Greek Cup campaign on 2 September 2026 with a 4-0 away victory against AEL at the AEL FC Arena in Larissa. The match began cautiously, with both sides trading possession across midfield during the first 20 minutes. AEL produced the first clear scoring opportunity in the 24th minute when Christos Albanis penetrated the penalty area and delivered a cross. Goalkeeper Nikolaos Popovic failed to secure the ball, allowing an attempt toward an open net, but defender David Carmo cleared the ball off the goal line to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.

Olympiacos responded ten minutes later by breaking the deadlock. Winger Gelson Martins had previously set up Armando González for a diving header that sailed over the crossbar. In the 34th minute, playmaker Kostas Fortounis sent an accurate delivery to the far post, where González headed the ball firmly into the net to make it 1-0. The goal marked the Mexican forward's first competitive strike since joining the Piraeus club.

Second-half scoring run

The visiting side established control immediately after the halftime interval, adding two goals within a five-minute window. In the 50th minute, another cross from Fortounis caused confusion in the penalty area, deflecting into the path of midfielder Gustavo Sá, who finished with a left-footed strike to extend the lead to 2-0.

Four minutes later, Olympiacos increased the margin to 3-0. Left-back Bruno controlled a loose ball outside the penalty box and delivered a low, driven shot that beat goalkeeper Georgios Melissas. Substitute forward Joel Roca completed the scoring in the 66th minute, breaking behind the defensive line on a counter-attack shortly after entering the pitch and finishing past Melissas to make it 4-0. All four goalscorers registered their first competitive goals for Olympiacos in the match.

Squad rotation and tactical setups

Both head coaches deployed 4-2-3-1 tactical setups for the opening cup fixture. AEL manager Sokratis Ofrydopoulos started Melissas in goal, with a defensive line of Sakic, Tselepidis, Risvanis, and Bousis. Papageorgiou and Tsingaras formed the midfield double pivot, supporting an attacking trio of Albanis, Ztoupis, and Noikokyrakis behind striker Nitsos.

Olympiacos manager José Luis Mendilibar rotated his lineup while retaining experienced leadership. Popovic started between the posts, protected by a back four of Koutsogoulas, Smailovic, Carmo, and Bruno. In central midfield, teenage talent Christos Filis partnered Switzerland international Remo Freuler, allowing Sá to operate in an advanced central role behind González. Martins and Fortounis provided width in attack, creating chances throughout their time on the pitch.

Next fixtures in the competition

The victory places Olympiacos at the top of the group table after the opening round of the Greek Cup league phase. Mendilibar's squad will next host Volos at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus for matchday two. AEL will look to recover from the defeat when it travels south to face Kalamata in its next cup match.