The goal of Olympiakos, which defeated Montpellier 3-1 last night in Karaiskaki, can not be other than qualifying for the next phase of the Champions League.The "red and whites" reached 6 points and essentially secured their participation in the Europa League, having two in two against the French but in the remaining two matches (Schalke away, Arsenal inside) they will play everything to qualify. in the top event.
Masado (4 ′), Greco (80 ′), Mitroglou (82 ′) the goals of Piraeus, the guests had equalized with Belhada (66 ′).
Group 2 rating:
1. Shale 8 (8-5)
2. Arsenal 7 (7-6)
3. Olympic 6 (7-7)
4. 1 Roller (5-9)
The 4 race:
Olympiacos-Montpellier 3-1
(4 'Masado, 80' Greco, 82 'Mitroglou-66' Belhada)
Schalke-Arsenal 2-2
(45 + 2 'Hundelaar, 67' Farfan-18 'Walcott, 26' Zirou)
Next match (5th):
Schalke-Olympiakos
Arsenal-Montpellier
How did start
Leonardo Zardim did not have any surprises in the Olympic squad. The "red and whites" started with goalkeeper Carol, on the right in defense Torosidis, on the left Cholebas, their stopper Manolas, Siova, a trio on their axis Modesto, Maniatis, Masado, at their ends Greco, Abdoun on the top.
The match
With the required confidence that matches require, with the criticality of tonight, Olympiakos entered the field. With his enthusiasm overflowing (and bad lies at the same time but his game plan is not clear) he looked for the quick goal. He achieved this thanks to the nice energy of Greco, the perseverance of Abdoun, Mitroglou and finally the scorer, Masado who was waiting in the area and closely pushed the ball into the net to make it 1-0 in the 4th minute and at the same time the ideal conditions from early in "Karaiskaki".
However, instead of taking advantage of it, he retreated, gave measures to Montpellier and the French with a driving lever, Belhada, who was sometimes looking for long shots and sometimes from set phases, took over the reins of the match, without creating the great opportunity against Carol's hearth.
The second half continued in the same pattern, with the French with Charbonnier now at the forefront of their attack to maintain possession, but their pressure did not work. With Olympiakos, however, having rested on its (fluid) lead. Even from a decision that shook the podium (on the one hand for the penalty kick and on the other because no one managed to remove the danger from the area) the opponents came back into the game with the well-aimed penalty kick of Belhada, who succeeded the 1-1 in 66 '.
And where Olympiakos seemed like a loser, he realized that he had nothing to do with any behemoth and made sure not only not to endanger the Europa League ticket, but to enter the qualifying game for the next phase of the Champions League for good. Starring Greco and Mitroglou, he reached a great victory with a score of 3-1 and compensated his people who filled Karaiskaki.
Source: KATHIMERINI