Olympiacos' New Look: Early Signs of Promise in Preseason
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Olympiacos has begun its preseason preparations in the Netherlands, with new signings showing early promise.
- Newcomers like Zinédine Smajlović and Bálsa Popović have impressed in early matches, strengthening the defense and goalkeeping.
- The team is looking to integrate new attacking midfielders Diogo Jota and Joël Roca, while also promoting academy players.
Olympiacos is showcasing a new version of the team during its preseason training in the Netherlands, with early matches offering a glimpse of the upcoming season. The club has focused on adding quality, and the initial signs suggest a stronger squad than the previous year.
Several new signings have already demonstrated their potential to significantly contribute. Zinédine Smajlović, a primary target for the right center-back position, stood out in his first start against Ajax. His impressive physical attributes, combined with the return of Carmo, are expected to bolster the team's defense. Pablo Maffeo, another defensive addition, has a proven track record in Spain's top league and is anticipated to find his form soon.
The goalkeeping situation has also seen a promising new face in Bálsa Popović. The tall Montenegrin goalkeeper has been a revelation during preseason, earning praise from teammates for his saves. He has shown readiness to compete for a starting spot, even as the club potentially looks to replace Diogo Jota if he moves to Hull.
In the attacking midfield, Diogo Jota has shown immediate goal-scoring prowess, notably scoring a hat-trick in his debut. Joël Roca, a winger, has also been given opportunities, indicating the coach's confidence in his abilities. Beyond new acquisitions, Olympiacos is also looking to its academy, with players like Christos Filis showing continuous improvement and earning promotion to the first team.
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.