Olympiacos unbeaten at home behind closed doors 

Olympiacos have yet to lose a game in Europe when forced to play behind closed doors at their home fortress, the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. AGONAsport takes a closer look. 

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On Thursday, Olympiacos host Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 at an empty Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. That is because of the recent directive in Greece to hold all sporting events without supporters until early April, at the very least due to the threat posed by the Coronavirus. UEFA, who had the final say regarding the matter, then approved the decision for Thursday’s clash to be held without fans. 

The absence of fans will surely be a negative for Pedro Martins’ men as they attempt to negotiate passage in another European tie against English opposition. In the previous round, Olympiacos dramatically eliminated Arsenal after overturning a 1-0 first leg home deficit in the return fixture in London.

Olympiacos have played European fixtures without fans on three previous occasions, with the Erythrolefki housing an undefeated record of two wins and one draw. That being said, two of these wins came in UEFA Europa League qualifiers against theoretically weaker opposition, including Besa (6-1) and Maccabi Tel-Aviv (2-1). However, Olympiacos did play to a 1-1 draw against Lazio in the opening fixture of the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League group stages at an empty Karaiskakis Stadium. 

Olympiacos’ undefeated record at an empty Karaiskaki could be a good omen ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Wolves. AGONAsport looks back at Olympiacos’ European home matches played without fans:

18-Sept-2007: Olympiacos - Lazio 1:1 (UEFA Champions League Group Stage)

In their opening fixture for the 2007/08 UEFA Champions League Group Stage, Olympiacos were forced to host Lzaio behind closed doors due to fan violence in the previous season against Shakhtar Donetsk. Olympiacos legend, Luciano Galletti, opened the scoring for the Erythrolefki in the 55th minute, however, the Italians equalized with Zauri 13 minutes before the end as the two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Despite the draw, Olympiacos finished second in the group to qualify for the Last 16 of the competition, where the Reds were eliminated by Chelsea. In the same season, Olympiacos recorded their first road victory in the Champions League against Werder Bremen (1-3) on matchday two before going to Rome and defeating Lazio 1-2 on matchday five.

22-Jul-2010: Olympiacos - Besa 6:1 (UEFA Europa League Qualifying)

After a disappointing fifth-placed Super League finish the season before, Olympiacos began their European journey in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. The first two European matches of the season where to be held behind closed doors due to incidents the previous season in the UEFA Champions League Round fo 16. 

In the second qualifying round, Olympiacos were paired with Albanian side, Besa, where the Reds where clear favorites to advance. Olympiacos cruised in the first leg on the road with a 0-5 victory and it was much of the same in the second leg in Greece. Olympiacos marched on to a 6-1 win with Maresca (2), Dudu (2), Derbyshire, and Fetfatzidis adding their names to the score sheet. This was Olympiacos’ first home match under their new owner Evangelos Marinakis.

29-Jul-2010: Olympiacos - Maccabi Tel-Aviv 2:1 (UEFA Europa League Qualifying)

One week later, Olympiacos hosted Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round. Despite falling behind in the scoreline, Olympiacos came away victorious with a tremendous goal from Jaouad Zairi and a close-range effort from Dennis Rommedahl. However, one week later, the Erythrolefki were handed a shocking 1-0 defeat in Israel to bow out of the Europa League (on away goals) in early August. New owner, Marinakis, was infuriated with the result and proceeded with many changes to the squad ahead of the new season with coach Ewald Lienen getting the boot.

Image Source: olympiacos.org

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