Olympiacos play their home matches in the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium. The arena, originally a velodrome built for the 1896 Olympics, is very close to the port. Later it became Olympiacos’s home with a 33,000 capacity since the 2004 reconstruction. The stadium, named after a Greek freedom fighter, turned out to be a stronghold in Champions League home matches. In front of their home crowd Olympiacos have won 10 of their last 13 games, beating the likes of Atlético Madrid (3-2), Juventus (1-0), Manchester United (2-0), Arsenal (2-1, 3-1) and Borussia Dortmund (3-1).
Last season Olympiacos were eliminated in the group stage, three home wins over Atlético, Juventus and Malmö notwithstanding.
Key players:
Esteban Cambiasso is clearly the most famous player; the 35-year-old Argentinian came from Leicester City on a free transfer this summer. Former Bundesliga players Omar Elabdellaoui (Eintracht Braunschweig) and Konstantinos Fortounis (FC Kaiserslautern) are also known quantities. Olympiacos have a dangerous schemer, Alejandro Dominguez. Forward Hernani, on loan from FC Porto, will be responsible for pressing on the right wing.