AEL Larisa produced a composed second-half performance to beat Olympiakos Piraeus B 2-1 in the Greek Super League 2 at the AEL FC Arena on Sunday, 1 November 2026. The hosts recovered from an early setback and found the decisive goal after the break, earning three points that strengthen their push toward the promotion places.

Match overview

Played under cool evening conditions in Larisa, the contest pitted AEL’s promotion experience against the energy and mobility of Olympiakos’ reserve side. Olympiakos Piraeus B started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute when Alexandros Ntinos finished low into the far corner after a quick transition down the right. AEL were initially unsettled by the visitors’ pressing, but they gradually established control through midfield and equalized in the 38th minute when captain Kostas Vlachos headed home from a well-delivered corner.

The second half was a more controlled affair. AEL pushed their full-backs higher, won more second balls, and created the better chances. The winning moment arrived in the 67th minute when Lucas Ferreira curled a precise effort beyond the Olympiakos B goalkeeper after exchanging passes on the edge of the box. The visitors responded with late pressure and forced one excellent save from the AEL goalkeeper, but the home side managed the closing stages maturely to protect the result in front of an announced crowd of around 4,300.

Key moments

• 12’ — Olympiakos B take the lead: Alexandros Ntinos capitalizes on space behind the AEL defense and finishes calmly.
• 38’ — AEL equalize: Kostas Vlachos rises highest at a corner and powers a header into the net.
• 54’ — Crucial save: AEL’s goalkeeper reacts sharply to deny Olympiakos B a second goal from close range.
• 67’ — AEL winner: Lucas Ferreira combines neatly on the edge of the area and curls a low shot inside the far post.
• 84’ — Late resistance: Olympiakos B push numbers forward, but AEL defend their box with discipline.

Tactical story

AEL Larisa lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 and looked to build through the midfield rather than rush forward. Their early difficulty came from Olympiakos B’s aggressive counter-pressing, which forced several loose passes in the opening quarter of an hour. Once AEL began switching play more quickly and using their left side to overload the visitors’ defensive line, the game tilted in their favor. The equalizing goal from a set piece was a reward for that growing control.

Olympiakos Piraeus B showed why they are a dangerous reserve side: they were quick in transition, brave on the ball, and willing to press high. However, their final pass let them down in the second half, and AEL’s midfield pairing did well to screen the space in front of the defense. The home side’s decision to push the full-backs forward after the break created the extra passing angle that led to Ferreira’s winner, while their late game management was calm and professional.

Standout players

Kostas Vlachos was central to AEL’s response, not only for his equalizing header but also for his leadership in midfield and his ability to slow the tempo when the game became stretched. Lucas Ferreira delivered the moment of quality that decided the match and was a constant outlet between the lines. AEL’s goalkeeper also deserves credit for a key second-half save that preserved the lead.

For Olympiakos Piraeus B, Alexandros Ntinos was the brightest attacking threat and took his goal well. Their goalkeeper kept the visitors in the contest with several assured stops, while the young midfield unit showed composure despite the hostile away environment.

Standings and season impact

The win lifts AEL Larisa into the promotion playoff positions and extends their strong home record in the Greek Super League 2. For a club with ambitions of returning to the top flight, taking maximum points from home fixtures against reserve sides is essential, and this was a professional if not always comfortable victory. Olympiakos Piraeus B remain in midtable, but their performance underlined the value of the fixture as a development platform for young players.