FM 13: Olympiacos Piraeus F.C - Road to that first European Cup!

[philgeo1]

Welcome to the Olympiacos Piraeus team guide for FM 2013!

Olympiacos Piraeus, nicknamed "Thrilos" (the legend) are the current Greek Superleague Champions!

History

Olympiacos was founded on March 10, 1925, in the port of Piraeus, when the members of "Piraikos Podosfairikos Omilos FC" and the "Piraeus Fans Club FC" decidedto dissolve the two clubs in order to establish a new unified one, with an emblem depicting the profile of an Olympic winner. There first national league title came in the 1930-31 season and was the beginning of a trophy laden era. In the next few decades Olympiakos would have various amounts of success, winning six titles in a row in the 50s to sporadic championship wins in the 60s,70s and another 4 year run at the top in the early 80s. Olympiacos experienced its darkest days from the late-1980s until the mid-90s in the hands of Greek businessman George Koskotas who was accused of and convicted of embezzlement, leaving Olympiacos deep in debt. On the pitch, the team, went nine seasons without a league title between 1988 and 1996.

In the mid-90s, the club was bought by Greek business man Sokrates Kokkalis who ushered in a new era of success for Olympiakos signing players like Giovanni, Zahovic, Rivaldo, Christian Karembeu and Olof Mellberg amongst others, establishing themselves as the dominant force in Greece and reaching the Champions league quarter final in 99' only to be knocked out by Juventus.

In 2010, billionaire business-man Vangelis Marinakis took over the club in a multi-million pound deal following Olympiakos' worse season in recent history. He installed fan favorite Ernesto Valverde as manager, who went on to win two titles and one Greek cup before letting his contract run out at the end of the 2011-2012 season to return to Spain.

Stadium

Olympiacos play their home games at the historic Karaiskaki Stadium which was knocked down in 2003 and rebuilt to its current state in 2004 just in the time for the Athens Olympics.

Why Olympiacos?

You will be replacing the very successful and loved Ernesto Valverde, who after wrestling the title back from arch-rivals Panathinaikos, went on to retain the championship and win the Greek cup in his two years at the club. He also managed the club to one of their best European cup runs in recent history beating both Arsenal and Dortmund 3-1 along the way. He brought his brand of Spanish football to the club summed up by short and intricate passing, constant pressure high up the pitch and blistering counter-attacks.

Along with Valverde, the club has lost several key players and you will have to make do without defensive rock Olof Melberg, midfield enforcers Pablo Orbaiz and Jean II Makoun, and last season's top scorer Kevin Mirallas, who signed for Everton.

With Olympiacos being on 39 championships, the fans and chairman want to see that 40th title sealed and the 4th star symbolising this achievement added to the other three, while playing the kind of attacking football your predecessor played. Domestic success aside, a European cup is still missing from the Olympiacos trophy cabinet and that should be the ultimate challenge for any manager taking over at the Karaiskakis stadium.

[philgeo1]

Olympiacos Pireaus FM13 Overview

Kits

Honours

Facilities

Club Expectations

[philgeo1]

Squad Evaluation

First Team

Goalkeepers

Roy Carroll and Balasz Megyeri are both suitable candidates to be your number 1, with neither standing out. While they have very similar stats, Megyeri is the younger of the two and therefore has more scope to develop and improve, whereas Carroll’s stats should start to decrease. Should look to replace him after the first season. Your third keeper Gianniotis, is a young Greek shot-stopper with limited ability, could give him a season in your squad but could look to ship him out on loan.

Recommended signing: TBA

Full Backs

This position is one of the team’s strongest. Vasilis Torosidis (right back) is one of your best players and the captain of the team. Contract is expiring in 12months and should be offered a new contract to ward off interest from top European clubs. Jose Holebas (left back) is very solid and has good stats, like Torosidis only has 12 months remaining on his current contract. Both are first choice for club and country.

Behind the aforementioned you have a number of players whose versatility allows them to occupy full back positions including Zaradoukas (injured at start of game), Modesto, Diakite and Maniatis.

Talent: Charalabos Lykogiannis is a talented left wing-back who starred in the Greek Under 19s run to the final of the recent U19 Euro’s, with enough playing time and coaching could push Holebas for that left back position.

Recommended signing: Giannis Skondras RB (Value), Fabio Grosso LB (free), Asier Del HornoLB(free)

Centre Backs

In the summer key defensive units Olof Melberg and Ivan Marcano left the club, while your best centre back Avraam Papadopoulos, (injured during Euro 2012)will be missing for the first half of the season. Pablo Contreras the experienced Chilean has been added to the team and will probably be a starter until Papadopoulos is fit. Young centre backs Kostas Manolas and Dimitris Siovas are new recruits and have potential to improve and make that second centre back slot their own. Francoise Modesto is versatile and can also fill in at centre back. Papazoglou is not good enough and you should look to sell him, or loan him out.

Recommended Signings: TBA

Defensive Midfielders

Greek International Giannis Maniatis should start and is one of your best midfielders, with great defensive stats and the ability to pick a pass. Depending on the type of defensive midfielder you want Drissa Diakite has a great physical presence, whereas Leandro Greco is technically superior. Modesto can also be moved into midfield. Serbian International Ljubomir Fejsa is transfer listed and if sold won’t be missed.

Talent: 23 year old Andreas Samaris is on loan at the start of the season, but looks like a solid central midfielder, keep your eye on him while on-loan at Panionios.

Recommended signings: TBA

Midfielders

Paulo Machado is the summer-signing for Olympiakos and can play across the midfield and in behind the striker. A strong technically gifted midfield can occupy the position next to the DMC to move the team forward. Ariel Ibagaza although aging still has excellent attacking stats and would do well for you in probably his last season for the club, primarily playing behind the striker. David Fuster is a hard working attacking midfielder who likes to get in the box, stats are not impressive but is a great back up and will get a good amount of goals in the Greek Superleague. Andreas Tatos is another decent back up.

Recommended Signing: TBA

Wingers

With Kevin Miralllas leaving to Everton, the team is a bit short in this position. Djamel Abdoun and Ioannis Fetfatzidis can play on either flank and could push for one of these slots. However, signing a real quality winger should be a priority. Panayiotis Vlachodimos is young winger who may not have what it takes, perhaps a loan spell would help him develop. Machado can also be deployed as a winger.

Recommended Signings: Royston Drenthe AML (free), TBA

Strikers

The team have no shortage of strikers. Rafik Djebbour should lead your line and is the team’s best striker, will do well to ward off interest from bigger clubs. Look to renew his contract which has a year to run. Kostas Mitroglou is one of the best Greek strikers and is a good understudy to Djebbour. The squad also includes one of Europe’s finest goal poachers in Marko Pantelic. Despite his age, he still has great finishing and composure and is a decent back up for at least another season. Brazilian Diogo is surplus to requirements and should be sold.

Talent: Dimitris Diamantakos, 19, is on-loan at the start of the season, another star of the Greek U19s run to the U19 Euro final this summer, could potentially develop into a good squad player.

Recommended Signings: TBA

Youth Team

Leandro - D/DMC – Young Brazilian could make the step up to the first team with some good coaching and some playing time.

Nikos Vergos - AMC/ST - 16 year old Greek has potential to be a good attacking midfielder.

RESERVED FOR TACTICS

[SRL88]

Nice start dude

[philgeo1]

Nice start dude

Thanks dude, hoping to be able to finish it off tomorrow!

[BigBobJoylove]

Nice topic sir.

Having my first proper game of 2013 which I'll continue when the full jobby is released. Things are going well, although I get the feeling this is due to how inconsistent/poor the other teams are rather than our own good play. Currently at the end of January and we're 12 points clear in the league and still in the domestic cup. Finished third in our Champions League group (very close to getting 2nd).

Olympiacos, to me, seem to have excellent defensive players but lacking quality going forward, particularly out wide. Fetfatzidis looks like a prospect but still young. Getting some quality wingers in is a must for the summer.

Loaned/sold a great many players who weren't good enough including the inept Djebbour for £3.5m. Lots of money in the bank to get 3 or 4 really good players in come pre-season.