- Dont Bother Returning to Greece! -
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - 3RD QUALIFYING rOUND, LEG 2
| Hapoel Be'er Sheva | 1 - 0 | Olympiacos |
|---|---|---|
| Tzedek 79' | (1 - 0) Agg. |
Embarrassment from the Greek Champions...Olympiacos fell 1-0 in Israel to Hapoel Be’er Sheva and their run in this year's UEFA Champions League comes to an end. Another tragic performance from the Erythrolefki as they seemed extremely unprepared for qualifying over two legs and will now continue in the UEFA Europa League Playoff Qualifying Round. Drastic changes are expected at Olympiacos with the club's president, Vaggelis Marinakis, telling the players after the first leg "if you do not progress in Israel, don't bother returning home!"
The first half produced minimal chances for either team with Kapino denying Hapoel Be’er Sheva from the best opportunity of the half. The hosts were the better side in the first 45 minutes as Olympiacos continued to look troubling on the pitch, similar to the first leg.
Hapoel created the first opportunity of the second half with Kapino coming away with a great save to keep the scores goalless. The pace of the game fell drastically with neither team threatening the opposing goal. However with 10 minutes remaining, the hosts found the opener with a great left-footed strike from Tzedek, giving Hapoel the lead on aggregate. Despite needing only one goal to progress, Olympiacos continued their tragic showing without creating a SINGLE chance in the final 10 minutes and embarrassingly bowed out of this year’s Champions League. Hapoel celebrated their upset over the Greek giants and will play in the UEFA Champions League Playoff Qualifying Round.
As for Olympiacos, they will now continue in the UEFA Europa League Playoff Qualifying round. Drastic changes are expected at the club as the team seemed completely unprepared for qualifying. President Vaggelis Marinakis was quite clear after the first leg, telling the players and coaching staff that if they do not progress in Israel do not bother returning to Greece. Although Olympiacos will not compete in the Champions League for the first time since the 2010-2011 season, the Erythrolefki are one qualifying round away from the Europa League Group Stage.
