Olympiacos captain Panagiotis Retsos scored the winner against Panathinaikos before receiving a congratulatory video call from club president Evangelos Marinakis.
Evangelos Marinakis had a message for his Olympiacos players after a hard-fought victory over their biggest rivals.
The club president congratulated captain Panagiotis Retsos and his teammates by video call following Sunday’s 1-0 win over Panathinaikos at a packed Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
Retsos scored in the 34th minute, and Olympiacos protected their lead despite losing Manolis Saliakas to a red card midway through the second half.
The result handed Panathinaikos their first league defeat of the season and brought Olympiacos within two points of their rivals after six rounds of Greece’s Stoiximan Super League.
A call from the president
According to Greek newspaper Ta Nea, Marinakis contacted Olympiacos vice-president Kostas Karapapas after the final whistle. Karapapas then passed the phone to Retsos so the captain could speak with the president.
“Well done, you crushed Panathinaikos and the referee and everyone. This is Olympiacos,” Marinakis told the players, according to the report.
The emphatic congratulations followed a demanding evening for the hosts, who had to combine an aggressive start with a disciplined defensive finish.
Marinakis also made a pointed reference to the referee, although the quoted remarks did not identify a specific decision.
For readers less familiar with Greek soccer, Olympiacos against Panathinaikos is the country’s “derby of the eternal rivals,” a fixture whose significance stretches beyond the three points available.
This meeting also carried an immediate consequence for the early title race, with Olympiacos reducing the gap to their opponents.
Retsos provides the decisive moment
Olympiacos pressed strongly from the opening stages, forcing mistakes and preventing Panathinaikos from settling into their rhythm.
Chiquinho tested the goalkeeper early, while Kostas Fortounis’ deliveries gave the home side another route to goal.
The breakthrough arrived from a Fortounis free kick in the 34th minute. After Panathinaikos failed to clear, Remo Freuler headed the ball towards Retsos, who struck a powerful first-time finish.
The captain’s goal put Olympiacos ahead and proved to be the only scoring play of the evening.
The hosts continued to threaten after halftime. Fortounis sent a free kick narrowly wide, and Freuler went close with a header from a corner.
But the challenge changed in the 66th minute when Saliakas received his second yellow card, having been booked just three minutes earlier.
Ten-man Olympiacos finish the job
With Olympiacos down to 10 players, Panathinaikos had an opportunity to rescue the game.
The hosts responded by staying compact and restricting space, frustrating the visitors as they searched for an equalizer.
Attempts from Azzedine Ounahi and Rick van Drongelen failed to find the target, and Olympiacos held on to secure the victory.
Retsos’ influence extended beyond his goal. According to Greek outlet to10.gr, he completed 89 percent of his passes, won eight individual duels and recorded 17 defensive actions.
Olympiacos have now won three consecutive league meetings with Panathinaikos, following two victories in last season’s playoffs.
The latest success tightened the title race and gave Marinakis plenty to celebrate in his postgame call.
Olympiacos now turn their attention to Marseille in the Europa League, aiming to carry their derby momentum into European competition.
