Ten-Man Olympiakos Cruise In Thessaloniki

First-half goals from Predrag Djordjevic and Fernando Belluschi put the Piraeus side in a strong position from which to collect all three points, though a red card issued to Christos Patsatzoglou on the stroke of half-time ensured a nervy spell, before the defending champions went on to record an expected win.

First Half

It was the hosts who came closest to opening the scoring after just twelves minutes of play, when Paraskevas Antzas could only half head-clear a ball into the area.

Former AEK midfielder Panagiotis Kone strained get power behind a headed effort at goal and his attempt forced an uncomfortable save from veteran ‘keeper Antonis Nikopolidis, who was fortunate to see former teammate Michalis Konstantinou hit the post from a tight angle on the rebound.

Only four minutes later and Olympiakos also hit the woodwork, as Djordjevic’s corner eventually fell to former CSKA Moscow midfielder Dudu Cearense, who struck Kowalewski’s left upright before the Polish ‘keeper recovered to save sharply from Padopoulos subsequent effort.

Diogo should have given the defending champions the lead on 26 minutes, showcasing his aerial ability when he rose to meet Belluschi’s clipped delivery before heading wide from close range.

With Iraklis willing to test Nikopolidis from long-range despite an inability to break down their opponents and Olympiakos finding space in wide areas, an increasingly open and entertaining affair was beginning to materialize in Thessaloniki.

It was only a matter of time before either side found the back of the net and it was Ernesto Valverde’s men who did so in the 34th minute thanks to a magnificent volley by club legend Predrag Djordjevic, whose effort swerved inside Kowalewski’s left post after a Pantos had produced a perfectly weighted cross from the right of the area.

The Piraeus side doubled its lead just five minutes later thanks to another volley, this time by Argentine midfielder Fernando Belluschi.

Greece international Christos Patsatzoglou started the move after releasing Diogo down the left flank, with the Brazilian reaching the by-line before producing a low cross that was volleyed home from close-range.

Iraklis produced a spirited fight-back after conceding for a second time, almost immediately pulling a goal-back through Cyprus international Konstantinou, who saw his point-blank header saved by Nikopolidis at a tight angle following a Papasterianos free-kick into the box.

Any suggestions of a comfortable Olympiakos were similarly scrapped on the stroke of half-time, when Patsatzoglou was shown a second yellow card for an awful challenge on Iraklis captain Anastasios Katsambis.

Referee Kyrios Vassaras was left with no choice but to send off the Olympiakos midfielder after he caught Katsambis on the knee with his studs after raising his boot, leaving the defender writhing in pain as he repeatedly apologized for his challenge.

Second Half

With Katsambis forced off through injury, Iraklis returned to the pitch galvanized by their opponent’s numerical disadvantage, almost reducing the deficit after just two minutes.

Panagiotis Kone showed encouraging determination to meet a corner at the back-post, heading weakly into the ground but forcing a sharp save from Nikopolidis.

Konstantinou then wasted a wonderful chance on 62 minutes after Christos Bourbos had outpaced Djordjevic on the right before producing a superb cross into the area.

The ball cleared the head of Avraam Papadopoulos and found an unmarked Konstantinou with only Nikopolidis to beat but the former Olympiakos striker couldn’t get enough contact on the ball to send it goal-wards.

However, the suggested Iraklis revival never quite materialized and the three points were sealed for Olympiakos by a superb strike by Dudu in the 81st minute, the Brazilian producing a driven effort from well outside the area that flew past Kowalewski and into the top right hand-corner of the net.

Iraklis 0
Olympiakos 3 (Djordjevic 34’, Belluschi 39’, Dudu 81’)

Line-ups:

Iraklis: Kowalewski, Bourbos, Perperidis, Katsambis (46’ Martos), Papazacharias, Foufoulas, Die, Kone (58’ Epstein), Marques, Papasterianos (80’ Giantsis), Konstantinou

Olympiakos: Nikopolidis, Pantos, Domi, A. Papadopoulos, Antzas, Patsatzoglou, Dudu, Galletti (84’ Oscar), Djordjevic, Diogo (77’ Diogo), Belluschi (69’ Mendrinos)


Chris Paraskevas