Olympiakos Fields Full-Strength Lineup Against Amsterdam Rivals

Avery K. Bristow

Published: January 28, 2026 3:15 PM ET

Olympiakos Fields Full-Strength Lineup Against Amsterdam Rivals

Ajax is gearing up to face Olympiakos Piraeus in a highly significant Champions League match on Wednesday. The Amsterdam team currently holds the 32nd position in the standings, while Olympiakos sits at 24th. Both clubs are eager to shift their fortunes and improve their rankings.

Olympiakos Aims Full-Strength Lineup Against Ajax

Following an impressive triumph over Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiakos coach José Luis Mendilibar is expected to maintain a consistent lineup. Reports from various Greek media outlets, including Gazzetta and Sportday, indicate minimal changes to the team.

Expected Starting XI for Olympiakos

Goalkeeper: Konstantinos Tzolakis
Defenders:
- Costinha
- Retsos
- Pirola
- Ortega
Midfielders:
- Mouzakitis
- Hezze
Attacking Midfielder: Chiquinho
Wingers:
- Rodinei
- Gelson Martins
Forward: Ayoub El Kaabi (replacing Mehdi Taremi)

Tzolakis will lead the defense after delivering a strong performance against Bayer. The defensive quartet includes Costinha, Retsos, Pirola, and Ortega, returning from rest in their latest league fixture against Volos. This strategic decision highlights their commitment to the challenges posed by Ajax.

Mendilibar is expected to rely on Mouzakitis and Hezze as key players in the midfield, with Chiquinho playing an advanced role. Wingers Rodinei and Gelson Martins will be crucial in delivering pace and creating goal-scoring chances. Ayoub El Kaabi, having played a vital role in the victory over Volos, takes the lead as the central striker. Notably, forward Roman Yaremchuk will not participate due to a calf injury.

Match Importance and Anticipation

This Champions League encounter is pivotal for both Ajax and Olympiakos. Each team is seeking to secure essential points to enhance their standings in the competition. The highly competitive atmosphere of the match is expected to draw significant attention, particularly as Olympiakos deploys a formidable lineup to optimize their chances for a critical away victory.