Defiant 10-man Olympiacos earn Betis draw
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 1
| Olympiacos | 0 - 0 | Real Betis |
|---|---|---|
Olympiacos kicked off their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign with a creditable goalless draw against Spanish club Real Betis on Thursday in what turned out to be a highly absorbing encounter at the Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Piraeus.
Despite the lack of goals, the Group F opener was played at a high tempo, and both sides were full of attacking intent and creativity as they sought to unlock each other’s well-drilled defences.
Quique Setién’s Betis team had the lion’s share of scoring chances, but it would have been harsh on the Thrylos if they had lost this one, especially after having defender Kostas Tsimikas sent off with just over 15 minutes to go after he picked up a second booking.
And while the result was not the win that home fans were hoping for, Olympiacos boss Pedro Martins will be delighted to be off the mark ahead of his team’s trip to the San Siro on October 4 to face group favorites AC Milan.
Both teams began with an appetite to attack as the match began at a frenetic pace. Winger Giannis Fetfatzidis showed some exciting flashes of skill early on, while Betis frontman Loren Moron was the focal point for the visitors.
And it was Moron who had the first clear sight of goal after 14 minutes as he raced onto a delicious first-time through ball from veteran Joaquin. But just when he was about to pull the trigger, Tsimikas’ excellent last-ditch tackle sent the ball out for a corner.
Olympiacos responded with a forward thrust of their own which ended with a Kostas Fortounis snapshot from the edge of the box being comfortably gathered by Betis keeper Joel Robles.
On the half-hour Betis carved open the home defence and Giovani Lo Celso curled a measured shot just wide of Gianniotas’ right post, much to relief of both the Olympiacos players and fans packed behind the goal..
It was Olympiacos, though, who had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes but neither Daniel Podence nor Ahmed Hassan could put the ball into the net after a lightning counter attack from the home side.
Fortounis played in Podence, and the Portuguese turned inside before aiming a curled effort on goal which Robles saved brilliantly. Hassan was in a good position for the rebound, but he lost his balance and scuffed his effort high over the crossbar.
The attractive football and the chances kept coming after the break. First, Fetfatzidis missed a great chance after being sent though by Podence’s pass, with Robles making a fine save to deny the diminuitive winger. Then, a few minutes later, a slick flowing move from Betis ended with Moron failing to connect with Joaquin’s cross with the goal gaping.
On the hour mark a woeful pass from Olympiacos defender Jagos Vukovic was intercepted by Sergio Leon, but the Betis man fluffed his lines when presented with a glorious chance to score, his tame shot saved well by Gianniotas.
Mady Camara unleashed a powerful drive in the 72nd minute but once again Robles was equal to it, parrying the ball wide for a corner.
Just two minutes later Tsimikas was given his marching orders for a late challenge on Moron, and with him down the tunnel went the home side’s chances of getting a victory as it was backs to the wall stuff from then onwards.
Olympiacos dug in though and held on comfortably to the point that their overal performance deserved on the night.
HIGHLIGHTS: OLYMPIACOS - REAL BETIS
