Greek Cup Final Preview: AEK Athens – Olympiacos CFP

With another league title headed to Piraeus and into Olympiacos’ trophy cabinet, AEK will look to the Greek Cup in order to ruin their rivals’ bid for a domestic double. Meanwhile, the Greek Champions are determined to exercise their dominance in Greece by securing their second consecutive domestic double.

Salvaging A Season

It was simply an unsettling season for AEK: an early exit from Europe, a lingering search for a president, and a coaching change all appeared to distract the club from competing consistently in the Super League.

Nonetheless, with the year-long disappointment aside, Saturday night’s potentially scintillating final is a prime opportunity for AEK to salvage their season.

Dusan Bajevic, bench boss at AEK Athens, voiced his side’s motives during a midweek press conference. The Serbian manager made it clear his side will be driven by a “motive", but also mentioned that the task will be difficult.

"We have a strong motive," said the AEK coach. "There are no favourites in matches like these. We know each other very well and it's hard to predict how the match will unfold."

The 60-year-old tactician knows what it takes to triumph on these occasions, his resume boasting four Greek Cup titles as a manager. Having finished on the winner’s podium twice while working in the  Olympiacos dugout, Bajevic will be banking on his players to end a twelve-year title drought for the ‘Kitrinomavri’ [Yellow and Blacks].

Domestic Double

Aside from presidential issues and a coaching change, Olympiacos endured a similarly painful season thanks to a poor European run. Their twelfth Super League title in thirteen years soothed any growing pains, but another Greek Cup success on Saturday would put any remaining disappointments to rest.

Currently, the future of manager Ernesto Valverde and summer transfers appear to be the main talking point for the Piraeus giants; however, a win on Saturday would boost Valverde’s future negotiations with club president Sokratis Kokkalis.

The Spaniard will aim to bag his second piece of Greek silverware in just his first season as manager at the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium, but he realises his side will be in for a tough night against AEK.

"Both teams will be very cautious at first and our priority will be to avoid mistakes," said Valverde. His words are likely to ring true because two slim victories over AEK already this season are not enough to guarantee a third on Saturday.

FORM GUIDE

AEK Athens

Mar 22.     AEK Athens 3-1 Levadeiakos       (Greek Super League)
Apr 5.      Panthrakikos 1-1 AEK Athens       (Greek Super League)
Apr 8.      Panserraikos 0-0 AEK Athens       (Greek Cup)
Apr 12.      AEK Athens 0-1 Aris        (Greek Super League)
Apr 26.      Ergotelis 1-1 AEK Athens       (Greek Super League)

Olympiacos CFP

Mar 22.     Panionios 2-3 Olympiacos       (Greek Super League)
Apr 5.      Levadeiakos 1-2 Olympiacos       (Greek Super League)
Apr 9.      Olympiacos 2-1 Asteras Tripolis       (Greek Cup)
Apr 12.      Olympiacos 0-1 Larissa        (Greek Super League)
Apr 26.      Thrasyvoulos 0-2 Olympiacos       (Greek Super League)

TEAM NEWS

AEK Athens

While the fitness of centre-back Sotiris Kyrgiakos has been a pressing matter for AEK throughout the season, the Greece international will assume his role in the centre of defence on Saturday. On the flanks, however, Bajevic will have to improvise as Juanfran will miss the match through injury.

Probable Starting XI: Sebastian Saja – Geraldo Alves, Daniel Majstorovic, Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Nikos Georgeas – Tamandi Nsaliwa, Agustin Pelletieri, Pantelis Kafes – Ignacio Scocco, Edinho, Ismael Blanco.

Olympiacos CFP

Injury concerns run a little deeper within the Olympiacos ranks, but the injured duo of Fernando Belluschi and Avraam Papadopoulos are expected to make full recoveries ahead of Saturday’s decisive encounter.

Probable Starting XI: Antonis Nikopolidis – Vasilis Torosidis, Paraskevas Antzas, Avraam Papadopulos, Didier Domi – Dudu, Giannis Papadopoulos – Luciano Galletti, Sebastian Leto, Fernando Belluschi – Diogo.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AEK Athens

AEK’s attack may not be the most clinical unit in the Super League, but front man Ismael Blanco has evolved to be one of the most efficient scorers in the Super League. His efficiency will be called forth on Saturday night as AEK look to breach the best defence in the Greek top flight.

Olympiacos CFP

Luciano Galletti has been the defining edge at Olympiacos all season long, and the crafty Argentine will be looked to steer Olympiacos to another Greek Cup triumph. After finishing tied alongside Ismael Blanco for the Super League’s goalscoring title, Galletti will be keen to settle the scoring battle with his compatriot.

PREDICTION

These two sides have met in the Cup Final many times before; always producing memorable results for spectators. The last such meeting came in 2006 when Olympiacos ran out 3-0 winners in Crete. This year the encounter is expected to be highly contested as both sides are keen on capturing the Greek Cup crown. AEK pose a stiff challenge for Olympiacos, but the latter appear to have enough depth to overcome their inner-city rivals.

Olympiacos CFP 2-1 AEK Athens

Peter Katsiris, Goal.com