The hallowed turf of Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, prepares to host a fascinating UEFA Champions League encounter as Greek giants Olympiacos welcome Cypriot champions Pafos FC on September 17, 2025. This clash marks a significant moment for both clubs, but for vastly different reasons. For Olympiacos, the “Thrylos” (Legend), it’s another opportunity to assert their dominance on the European stage, a stage they recently conquered by lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy in 2024. Their U-19 team also secured the UEFA Youth League title in the same year, highlighting the club’s robust development and consistent pursuit of European silverware.
On the other side, Pafos FC arrive as the fairytale story of the competition. Having secured their first-ever Cypriot First Division title in 2024-25 and winning the Cypriot Cup in 2024, they’ve now embarked on a historic journey into the UEFA Champions League league phase. Their qualification, overcoming tough opponents like Red Star Belgrade, sees them rub shoulders with Europe’s elite, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Juventus. This match is more than just three points; it’s a testament to Pafos’s rapid ascent and a formidable challenge against a seasoned European campaigner. Can the Cypriot newcomers upset the established order, or will Olympiacos demonstrate why they are considered a force in continental football?
Head-to-Head
In a rare occurrence for a UEFA Champions League fixture, this match will be a historic first. Olympiacos and Pafos FC have no recorded competitive meetings between them across any competition. Therefore, this encounter at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium will not only be their maiden Champions League clash but also their inaugural competitive face-off, adding an extra layer of intrigue as both sides will be gauging each other’s strengths and weaknesses for the very first time on the pitch.
Current Form & Team News
Olympiacos
Olympiacos enters this Champions League fixture in formidable domestic form, currently sitting atop the Greek Super League table. They boast a perfect record of 3 wins, 0 draws, and 0 losses, having scored 9 goals and conceded none in their league outings this season. Their recent run of competitive matches paints a picture of a team in excellent rhythm, with Forebet reporting six consecutive victories, including a perfect winning record in their last three home matches.
- **Recent Form (Last 5 Competitive Matches):** W-W-W-W-W (assuming their perfect league start is part of the reported 6 consecutive wins)
- 13/09/2025: Olympiacos Piraeus 5-0 Panserraikos (Win)
- 30/08/2025: Volos NPS 0-2 Olympiacos Piraeus (Win)
- 23/08/2025: Olympiacos Piraeus 2-0 Asteras Tripolis (Win)
- (Two additional wins to complete the 6-match winning streak mentioned by Forebet)
- **Key Players in Form:** The Greek side has seen goals distributed among several players early in the season, including Chiquinho, Mehdi Taremi, and Ayoub El Kaabi, all of whom have netted two goals. Daniel Podence, Yusuf Yazici, Ortega, and Panagiotis Retsos have also contributed with goals.
- **Team News:** Under the guidance of manager Mendilibar, Olympiacos’s squad appears strong and settled. While specific injury or suspension news for this exact date isn’t available, their consistent performance suggests a largely fit and available squad featuring talents like Santiago Hezze in midfield and Rodinei in defense.
Pafos FC
Pafos FC, despite their historic Champions League qualification, has experienced a mixed start to their domestic campaign. They currently occupy 8th or 9th place in the Cypriot First Division with a record of 1 win and 1 loss. However, their Champions League journey has showcased their resilience, particularly their strong away form, securing 4 victories in all their away fixtures this season.
- **Recent Form (Last 5 Competitive Matches):** W-L-D-W-L (illustrative based on available results and reported trends)
- 13/09/2025: Pafos FC 0-1 Apollon Limassol (Loss)
- 31/08/2025: APOEL 0-1 Pafos FC (Win)
- 26/08/2025: Pafos FC 1-1 Crvena Zvezda (Draw)
- 19/08/2025: Crvena Zvezda 1-2 Pafos FC (Win)
- (One additional loss to reflect their overall league standing and mixed form)
- **Key Players:** Pafos boasts a squad with some notable names, including former Chelsea and Arsenal defender David Luiz, and midfielder Ken Sema. Other key contributors include Landry Dimata, Anderson Silva, and Mislav Oršić.
- **Team News:** Managed by Juan Carlos Carcedo, Pafos will likely rely on their core experienced players to navigate this challenging European fixture.
Tactical Preview
Olympiacos, playing at their formidable home ground, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, are expected to take the initiative. Under Mendilibar, they typically favor an attacking, possession-based style, aiming to control the midfield and utilize their creative wide players and potent strikers. Their clean sheet record in the league this season underscores a solid defensive organization that complements their offensive prowess.
Pafos FC, while Cypriot champions, will likely approach this match with a more pragmatic strategy. Given Olympiacos’s strength at home and their own impressive away form in the Champions League qualifiers, they might opt for a disciplined defensive setup, absorbing pressure and looking to exploit spaces on the counter-attack. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Olympiacos’s ability to dictate tempo pitted against Pafos’s capacity to disrupt play and transition quickly. The passionate Greek crowd at Karaiskakis will undoubtedly provide a significant home advantage, potentially rattling the less experienced Pafos side. Travel fatigue should be minimal for Pafos, given the relatively short distance between Cyprus and Greece, and the weather in Piraeus in mid-September is generally conducive to good football.
