Guest report made by Theologos Aktselis
Stavros Pnevmonidis is a 19-year-old attacking player, currently representing Olympiacos. Primarily deployed as a left winger, he is also capable of operating effectively in the No.10 role. He made his breakthrough during the 2023–2024 season, playing a key role in Olympiacos U19’s UEFA Youth League triumph. His performances over the past two seasons earned him a call-up to the senior squad by head coach Mendilibar, who has since given him a prominent role in the first team’s preseason. In just five appearances on the left wing, Pnevmonidis has already delivered two goals and three assists. He also started in the first league match of the season, making his official debut for the current campaign.
The physical profile of the player is that of a modern winger, combining pace, agility, and strength with solid technical qualities. Standing at approximately 1.78 m, he has a compact and powerful build that provides balance and resilience in physical duels. His speed is one of his standout attributes, allowing him to accelerate explosively, attack open spaces, and consistently trouble defenders in transition. With a low center of gravity and excellent agility, he can change direction quickly and beat opponents in 1v1 situations. Despite his young age, he already demonstrates notable strength, while his stamina enables him to sustain intensity and press effectively throughout the game.
The young winger possesses excellent technical ability and strong dribbling skills. Despite his age, his game is simple and effective. During the build-up phase, he prefers to stay wide, keeping a few meters of distance from his marker to exploit his excellent first touch and explosiveness, allowing him to play quickly and move forward. Naturally, he does not stay confined to the wing. At times, he moves into the central channel, creating overloads in the middle and helping progress play through close combinations. When play shifts to the opposite flank, Pnevmonidis moves further inside to open the wide channel for his full-back to push forward and receive the ball for a switch of play.
When Olympiacos reaches the final third, Pnevmonidis becomes particularly dangerous. Despite keeping his game tidy, outside the opponent’s box, he has the vision to deliver key passes at the right moment. His dominant right foot allows him to cut inside and deliver precise through balls as well as well-weighted crosses into the box, which rarely miss their target. Beyond his passing, he is always ready in the space between the penalty spot and the edge of the box to take a first-time finish following a cut-back or a poor clearance. He is also lethal in the attacking transition, where, given space, his technical ability and speed allow him to beat any opponent in a one-on-one situation.
Defensively, the young winger stands out for his intense and consistent pressing in the opponent’s half. His intelligent pressing angles, combined with his speed, allow him not only to disrupt the opponent’s build-up but also to regain possession in advanced areas. When Olympiacos defends in its own half, Pnevmonidis provides valuable cover for his full-back through disciplined tracking and smart positioning. His defensive commitment also limits the ability of opposition full-backs to advance freely.
Pnevmonidis is entering one of the most pivotal stages of his development. With his combination of pace, technical quality, and strong work ethic, he has the tools to develop into a regular first-team contributor at Olympiacos and potentially establish himself as a key figure at higher competitive levels. If he continues to build on his senior team opportunities, he will not only emerge as one of the standout young players in the Greek SuperLeague but also put himself in contention for a future call-up to the National Team.
Target Scouting 