Olympiacos F.C. – F.C. Schalke 04 1-2

Olympiacos was defeated in matchday one by F.C. Schalke 04 by a 2-1 score. Even though our team had many chances to score, they were unable to overcome the obstacles the opponets set.

Leonardo Jardim opted for leaving Siovas, Ibagaza and Caroll at the bench. Megyeri under the post, Torossidis defending in the right, Cholevas left and Manolas with Contreras as center defenders; Modesto, Maniatis and Fuster holding the midfield. In the offense, Massado on the left, Abdoun on the right and Djebbour as the central striker.

Olympiacos had a robust start and tried to exercise pressure on Schalke. After Machado’s double scoring opportunity in the 5th and 6th minute (one tete-a-tete and one shot cleared just next to the post), Olympiacos threatened to score just before the 20th minute. Cholevas sent the ball right next to the post with a free kick. In 23′, Machado took the corner kick and Djebbour missed the header at a hand’s reach from the goal. Schalke then tried to score by a free kick from Neustadter at the 34th minute.

In 39’, Modesto tried to clear the ball and raised it high; Megyeri reached for the save but lost it, being shouldered by Papadopoulos. The ball ended in the net, but the goal was called off for offensive foul on the goalie. Two minutes later, in the 41st minute, Farfan gave the corner kick and Howedes scored with a header. So, at break time, Olympiacos is trailing behind by 0-1.

The second half kicked off with no substitutions for Olympiacos, which entered the pitch with a will to exert pressure. Barnetta missed an obvious scoring opportunity after Megyeri’s uncertain save on Fuchs’ original shot.

In 56’, Olympiacos missed a huge, double goal-scoring opportunity! Abdoun made the steal and passed to Djebbour in the box. The Algerian striker took the shot, the ball got deflected and Fuster took the rebound and the second shot! The ball got deflected again and was cleared away. In the same minute, Fuster found himself in a privileged position to score, took the shot again but fail to beat Unnerstall.
In 58’, however, Djebbour, following Howedes mistake, rushed in the box, lost the ball that reached Abdoun who netted the equalizer with a smooth shot! Schalke’s reply however was nothing but immediate. In 59’, Huntelaar received the ball in the box, following a pass by Jones, and, with a calm shot, scored and put his side ahead, 2-1. No later than the next minute, Manolas tackled Barnetta in the box and referee Borbalan called for a penalty. Huntelaar took the penalty kick in the 61st minute but sent the ball to hit the post, so the score remained 2-1.
In 67’, Ibagaza (who has substituted Fuster in the 57th minute) took a beautiful shot but missed the goal for centimeters. Jardim sent Mitroglou and Greco in the fight. Huntelaar, in 83’, took the header following a cross by Afellay, but Megyeri made the save. In extra time, Djebbour missed a great goal-scoring opportunity taking a shot wide from within the box. Olympiacos was striving for the equalizer, but couldn’t deliver. Inevitably, the side was forced to concede its first defeat in this year’stournament.

OLYMPIACOS F.C.: Megyeri, Torossidis, Cholevas, Manolas, Contreras, Modesto (69’ Greco), Maniatis, Fuster (57’ Ibagaza), Abdoun (69’ Mitroglou), Machado, Djebbour.

F.C. SCHALKE 04: Unnerstall, Howedes, Holtby, Jones (90’ Hoger), Papadopoulos, Farfan (90’+ Draxler), Fuchs, Huntelaar, Barnetta (79’ Afellay), Matip, Neustadter.

VENUE: «G. Karaiskakis»
SCORERS: 58’ Abdoun / 41’ Howedes, 59’ Huntelaar
REFEREE: D. Borbalan (Spain)
1st ASSISTANT REFEREE: R. Martinez (Spain)
2nd ASSISTANT REFEREE: J. Guadamuro (Spain)
ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT REFEREES: F. Vitienes, C. Fernandez (Spain)
4th OFFICIAL: J. Miranda (Spain)
YELLOW CARDS: 61’ Manolas, 75’ Ibagaza / 30’ Howedes, 53’ Jones
RED CARDS: – / –
ATTEMPTS AGAINST THE BAR: – / 61’ Huntelaar

Arsenal F.C. beat H.S.C. Montpellier by a 2-1 score in the other match of the second group.

The table: