Olympiakos demand that matches last only 85 minutes…
…or at least they should! Tonight’s 4-2 defeat to Valencia, for whom Fernando Morientes scored a hat-trick, was the upteenth time that the team had conceded crucial goals in the final 5 minutes of a European match.
In 2004, a last minute goal from Gerrard gave Liverpool a 3-1 win and qualification from the group stages which eventually lead to them lifting the trophy. Last September, Thrilos conceded a goal in the 88th minute away to Real Madrid, which resulted in a 2-1 loss. In October, Kafes looked to have given Olympiakos a point in the 84th minute, but Govou had other ideas, an 89th minute goal giving the French Champions a 2-1 win also. Then in November, a Helstad goal in the 88th minute gave Rosenborg a point in Trondheim, 1-1 the final score.
Then tonight, with 5 minutes left, the match was being drawn 2-2. Up comes Albiol and it’s 3-2. Just to make sure Morientes heads in another for good measure in the 89th minute……
Lack of concentration or poor fitness? It’s probably more to do with the fact in the Greek Super League, Olympiakos don’t have to concentrate for more than 60-70 minutes to win a match, such is the lack of competition.
September 13th, 2006 at 3:18
Viva el Moro!!! I had him as captain in my uefa.com squad. Great choice, and great player (all time favorite)
September 13th, 2006 at 11:31
I think the lack of competition in Greece is definately a hindrance to Olympiakos but a key problem is that their defence is nowhere near Champions League standard.
They tried to strengthen this summer but I still don’t think as individual players they are good enough to compete against top level European teams like Valencia and top level players like Morientes.
With five minutes to go, their defending for the corner was really poor and they did it again five minutes later.
Their manager looked like he had seen a ghost after the game… unfortunately it looks like it will be a ghost that will come back to haunt Olympiakos again.
Overall, though, I thought it was a good start to the tournament.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:02
Socrates - very wise words. I agree regarding the defence. The players the brought in were hardly top-class. Ouaddou treid the premiership with Fulham but got nowhere and so went to Rennes. As for Julio Cesar, OK he played for Real, Milan etc but he was more a non-playing squad member and quickly moved clubs, basically beacuse he was exposed as rubbish. The problem is that in Greece he is perceived as a “great signing” because he played for such clubs at some stage. Anatolakis I heard was the best defender and that’s saying something…..
December 7th, 2007 at 6:11
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