The “Legend” took a decisive step to make it through to the quarter finals of UEFA Champions League! The first leg against Manchester United during the round of 16 took place at the “G. Karaiskakis” stadium and ended with the win (2-0) of our side, which heads now to Old Trafford for the return match being in the lead!
Mr. Michel opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation. Roberto was under the goalpost; Salino was defending on the right and Cholebas on the left. Manolas and Marcano were the stoppers, with N’Dinga and Maniatis as defending midfielders; Campbell was the right winger and Perez the left one, whereas Olaitan was placed atop our attack with Dominguez right behind him.
Our side looked Manchester United straight in the eyes from the very first moment and attempted to score a goal early on. As soon as in the 8th minute, “Chori” was found face-to-face with De Gea following a wonderful run only for Vidic last-moment block to save visitors from a goal.
United “threatened” in the 17th minute when following a corner kick, the ball reached Smalling, who took the shot, but his effort ended up wide. Our players kept up the momentum, and Maniatis took a shot in the 21st minute, but De Gea cleared it. In the 26th minute, it was the turn of Perez to stir the crowds. The Paraguayan’s deft action allowed him to close-in and attempt to bend the ball from the penalty area, but it went slightly wide. Holebas had his share of this luck in the 35th minute.
Still, the “Legend” became even more threatening and, in the 38th minute, it was goal-scoring time! Maniatis took the shot outside the penalty area, the ball reached “Chori” who flicked it past De Gea, generating stadium-shaking cheers!
Two minutes afterwards, the “Red Devils” tried to “answer back” with a Rooney’s direct free-kick that Manolas headed clear over the crossbar, keeping thus the 1-0 score until the end of the first half.
Olympiacos returned on the pitch field after the break and continued to effectively close all areas not allowing visitors to build up their game. Again, Olympiacos was the side creating memorable moments, like the one with Perez shot being saved by De Gea in the 48th minute, as well as scoring its second goal! In the 55th minute, Campbell swept beyond Carrick and took an excellent shot that hit the target, marking thus a brilliant 2-0, insanely celebrated by both players and fans!
Our players continued defusing all weapons of David Moyes side’ and trying to create goal-scoring chances whenever an opportunity was given to them. In the 67th minute, despite being under the pressure of two defenders, Olaitan took the shot from the penalty area, sending the ball just wide. Mr Michel sent Fuster in for goal-scorer Campbell and the Cost Rican received a warm ovation as he walked off the pitch.
Our side kept defending comfortably and properly closing all areas. In the 76th minute, both our second scorer left the field with a huge roar of appreciation by the fans, and Machado took his place. Roberto saved the ball in the 81st minute following a cross by Young, not allowing Van Persie to take advantage of this, whereas, one minute later, the Dutchman’s shot after a Smalling pass went wide.
The visitors pressured to score a goal in the last minutes, with Roberto thankfully clearing it in the 89th minute before Van Persie. The Spaniard also gathered the looping ball following Evra’s crossing in during stoppage time. Thus, the 2-0 score was maintained to the end for the “Legend”, giving thus our side a clear edge for qualification ahead of the return match at Old Trafford on March 19th!
OLYMPIACOS: Roberto, Maniatis, N’Dinga, Perez, (86’ Valdez), Cholebas, Manolas, Marcano, Campbell (67’ Fuster), Salino, Dominguez (76’ Machado), Olaitan
MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Rooney, Smalling, Vidic, Carrick, Young, Van Persie, Cleverley (61’ Kagawa), Valencia (60’ Welbeck)
