Three points, one moment
David Carmo scored in the 82nd minute and Olympiacos beat Atromitos 1–0 in the Super League opener on Saturday (2) (4). That is the whole week in one line: a struggling attack, a defender bailing them out late, three points on the board. The table shows it cleanly. Third place, one game played, one win (1).
Do not let the scoreline fool you into comfort. This was not a dominant opening night. Olympiacos managed ten crosses in the first half against Atromitos, a number that tells you how hard it was to create anything through the middle (5). Fortounis and Gustavo Sa were asked to be the artists, the two pulling the strings, and for 80 minutes nothing came of it. You do not want to build a title push on a centre-back being your matchwinner every week.
Gonzalez arrives, and Karembeu is already talking him up
The other big story is Armando Gonzalez. The Mexican forward signed, got an anime-themed unveiling, and Christian Karembeu called him "a phenomenon" who can play alongside Ayoub El Kaabi up top (3) (7). Gonzalez said goodbye to Chivas with a simple line: "Espero volver y luchar por un título" (6). Fair enough. Every new forward says they want titles.
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The question is whether Gonzalez fixes the exact problem Saturday exposed. One shot on target of consequence, a defender taking the scoring burden. If Karembeu is right and Gonzalez pairs with El Kaabi, the attack gets the second option it clearly lacked. If he needs time to settle, expect more nights like Saturday.
Meanwhile the Ioannidis and Vagiannidis links went nowhere. The reporting out of Portugal shows no sign of either returning to Greece (1). Do not hold your breath on that front.
Watch for Asteras away
Next Sunday Olympiacos travel to Asteras Tripoli in the league (fixture). That is the real test of whether the opener was a slow start or a pattern. One win, no goals from the forwards, a signing announcement full of hype. Asteras away will show whether the attack has teeth or whether Carmo needs to score again.
