Olympiacos kicked off this year’s ICC in the best possible way; a victorious 3-0 premiere against Milan! Before the eyes of lots of people at the BMO Field, Olympiacos made it clear that travelling overseas to play in the International Champions Cup, was not meant for the sake of it, but for delivering a great football show, fantastic goal-scoring and some great moments of football skills.
That was Arthur Masuaku’s premiere as well, and what an outstanding debut that was. “Chori” Dominguez was also splendid, named also MVP of the match’s, apart from scoring a goal. Abidal worked hard in defense, Manolas was outstanding, Roberto was equally stable and Dossevi was really energetic and active. Noone lagged behind and how else could it be if one is to defeat such a great opponent such as Milan! Kasami, in the midfield, was promising and displayed well. Mpouchalakis netted an astounding goal and nothing but stole the show!
Despite the subs after the break, Olympiacos put on a display of a well-built team that, despite being still in early pre-season period, performs some fluent combos and leaves room for improvements, thus promising a great new season full of emotions! It is important for Olympiacos that such results, during pre-season, may give the team a lot in terms of self-confidence!
After the end of the match, Olympiacos and Milan exchanged gifts and wishes for their future both in this contest and ahead of their official fixtures during this season!
Match storyboard:
8’: Olympiacos broke into attack and Papazoglou took the ball; however he was both late and poor in passing the ball, thus losing a good chance for the Legend’s opener.
16’ GOAL 1-0: Dominguez played it wide to the right to meet Dossevi, who crossed it to meet unmarked Chori –while Papazoglou kept busy the Italian defense- who launched home a crisp volley from between the edge of the box and the penalty spot, deep in Gabriel’s left corner!
24’: The ball was set up for Fuster, following poor clearing by Milan’s defenders, whose shot from inside the box passed just wide from Gabriel’s left post!!!
38’: Inswinging cross by Masuaku that gave Gabriel a hard time to save.
39’: Chori’s corner, Papazoglou’s header and Poli to save it right on the goal line!
49’ GOAL 2-0: Kasami delivered the cross pass to Masuaku, who launched a low cross from the left just to meet Diamantakos on the move, who deflected it home in Gabriel’s left corner.
55’: Saponara took the shot from within the box, the ball got deflected at Roberto’s crossbar.
57’: The Legend delivered the counter-attack, Damiantakos passed to Dossevi who took the shot but it was Bonera who saved Milan from 3-0!
63’: Shot by Niang at the edge of the box, double-save by Roberto.
78’ GOAL 3-0: Mpouchalakis delivers a powerful left volley from a 35-40 m distance that flies past Agazzi in his top right corner!
OLYMPIACOS: Roberto, Elabdellaoui (72’ Salino), Manolas (46’ Avlonitis), Abidal (61’ Siovas), Masuaku (72’ Ghazaryan), Samaris (46’ Maniatis), Kasami (72’ Mpouchalakis), Domiguez (61’ Saviola), Fuster (46’ Cholevas), Dossevi (61’ Kolovos), Papazoglou (46’ Diamantakos).
MILAN: Gabriel (62’ Agazzi), Zaccardo (76’ De Sciglio), Bonera (62’ Mexes), Rami (62’ Alex), Albertazzi, Cristante, Poli (76’ Mastalli), Saponara(84’ Modic), El Shaarawy, Niang(76’ Honda), Pazzini.
REFEREE: Petrescu (Romania)
YELLOW CARDS: – / 40’ Saponara
