Olympiacos aiming for ninth win against English opposition

Ahead of the vital UEFA Champions League match against Tottenham Hotspur in Piraeus on Wednesday, AGONAsport looks back at Olympiacos’ previous games with English opposition.

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Over the course of their proud history of participating in European competitions, Olympiacos have played against English opposition on 28 occasions, but they only have eight victories to their name, losing 16 times and picking up four draws. Admittedly, those matches did include various meetings with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, but Olympiacos must achieve a positive result against Tottenham on Wednesday if they are to have realistic hope of qualifying for the Round of 16 of the Champions League. Olympiacos breezed through three qualification rounds with five wins in six games.

Let’s take a look against Olympiacos’ previous matches against English teams:

MOST RECENT MATCHES AGAINST ENGLISH TEAMS AND DIRECT ENCOUNTERS WITH TOTTENHAM

23/08/2018, Olympiacos - Burnley - 3:1, UEFA Europa League qualification playoffs

Olympiacos took a big step towards the Europa League group stage with a gritty 3:1 victory over Burnley at the Karaiskakis Stadium. In the 19th minute, Kostas Fortounis curled a wonderful free-kick into the net, but Chris Wood equalised with a penalty before the first half ended. Making a powerful start to the second half, Andreas Bouchalakis nodded into the net for the hosts, and Fortounis gave Olympiacos a two-goal buffer from the penalty spot. Had Olympiacos’ finishing been better, the score would have been a lot larger.

30/08/2018, Burnley - Olympiacos - 1:1, UEFA Europa League qualification playoffs

It promised to be a nervy night in Burnley. With the opponents possessing an away goal, Olympiacos couldn’t be complacent, but the Erythrolefki managed the game well and found space on the counterattack. In the closing stages, Daniel Podence put the tie to bed on the break, clinically beating the goalkeeper. Matej Vydra did get Burnley level with four minutes remaining, but the job was already done for the Thrylos.

15/10/1972, Tottenham Hotspur - Olympiacos - 4:0, UEFA Cup second round

Tottenham effectively secured progress to the next round of the 1972/1973 UEFA Cup with a thumping 4:0 triumph in the first leg at White Hart Lane in the first competitive meeting between the clubs. Jimmy Pearce (twice), Martin Chivers and Ralph Coates all hit the jackpot for the English club, in turn leaving Olympiacos with a mountain to climb in the second match.

08/11/1972, Olympiacos - Tottenham Hotspur - 1:0, UEFA Cup second round

Predictably, the 0:4 deficit was too steep for Olympiacos, but the Erythrolefki did at least regain pride as they claimed a 1:0 victory at home with Roman Argyroudis scoring the only Greek goal.

OTHER NOTABLE MATCHES AGAINST ENGLISH OPPOSITION

28/09/2004, Olympiacos - Liverpool - 1:0, UEFA Champions League

The Thrylos started on the front foot in Piraeus, striking early on as Ieroklis Stoltidis headed Rivaldo’s looping free-kick beyond the outstretched dive of Jerzy Dudek. In an entertaining second half, Olympiacos had plenty of chances to extend their advantage, but one goal was enough to defeat Liverpool at a packed arena.

08/12/2004, Liverpool - Olympiacos - 3:1, UEFA Champions League

When Rivaldo opened the scoring with a clever set piece, Olympiacos looked set to oust Liverpool and qualify for the Champions League Last 16, but the hosts had a nasty surprise up their sleeve. Florent Sinama-Pongolle equalised immediately after the break, but in order for Liverpool to advance, they needed a further two goals.

Sadly for Olympiacos, they failed to hold on in the final ten minutes, as Neil Mellor made it 2:1 before Steven Gerrard thumped in a famous half-volley past Antonis Nikopolidis to break Greek hearts. As we know, Liverpool went on to win the Champions League after they dramatically defeated AC Milan in the final.

25/02/2014, Olympiacos - Manchester United - 2:0, UEFA Champions League

Naturally, the Erythrolefkoi were underdogs against Manchester United in the Champions League Last 16, however they gave a performance for the ages at the Karaiskakis Stadium to earn a surprising 2:0 advantage in the first leg. Argentine midfield maverick Alejandro Dominguez broke the deadlock on 38 minutes with a memorable marker, deftly flicking a long range attempt into the net to fool goalkeeper David De Gea.

In complete control of proceedings against an off-colour Manchester United side, the home team doubled their money in the second half with Joel Campbell curling a sumptuous, inch-perfect effort in.

19/03/2014, Manchester United - Olympiacos - 3:0, UEFA Champions League

Things were going smoothly after a 2:0 triumph in the first leg, but in a forgettable night for Thrylos fans, Olympiacos collapsed in England and wasted a golden opportunity to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Robin Van Persie brought the English giants back to within one after 25 minutes, converting a penalty which was conceded by Jose Holebas’ clumsy challenge.

David De Gea then pulled off two fantastic saves to deny Olympiacos a precious away goal, and it proved crucial as Van Persie grabbed his second on the stroke of half time, connecting with a low cross. The same player then won the tie for Manchester United by whipping home a wonderful free-kick.

29/09/2015, Arsenal - Olympiacos - 2:3, UEFA Champions League

Olympiacos finally won a Champions League match on English soil, defeating Arsenal 3:2 in what can only be described as a chaotic encounter. Felipe Pardo’s deflected attempt gifted Olympiacos a lead on 32 minutes, and after Theo Walcott registered an instant equaliser for Arsenal, home goalkeeper David Ospina carried Konstantinos Fortounis’ corner over the line to allow the Thrylos to move ahead again.

Alexis Sanchez eventually headed Arsenal level in the second half, but 60 seconds later, Alfred Finnbogason delicately nudged the ball into the left corner to hand Olympiacos a famous victory in London.

09/12/2015, Olympiacos - Arsenal - 0:3, UEFA Champions League

The task couldn’t be simpler for Olympiacos - avoid losing by two goals and they would be granted a spot in the Last 16 of the Champions League. Considering that it was a home match for Olympiacos in Greece, a 0:3 defeat was unlikely, however an inspired Arsenal team had other plans as the Thrylos once again fell short on their big night.

Olivier Giroud was the Arsenal hero for the evening, beating Olympiacos goalkeeper Roberto three times to sink the Erythrolefkoi 3:0 in their own backyard.

Olympiacos’ home record against English teams in European competition:

14 matches, 7 victories, 3 draws, 4 defeats, goal difference 20-18.

Olympiacos’ away record against English teams in European competition:

14 matches, 1 victory, 1 draw, 12 defeats, goal difference 7-40.

by Shaun Nicolaides

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