sport24.gr
The match between the football teams of Olympiacos and PAOK, played on Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, finished 3-0 for the white-reds. The home team showed the audience a good game that ended with a win, although they were uncertain in the beginning. The attacks of PAOK, which ruled the ball completely, marked the first half. The visiting team consistently pursued goal positions and pulled forward the attack line. It was obvious that they had come to Karaiskaki only to win. On the other hand, it was obviously difficult for the home team to pull ahead the attack line.
Olympiacos reached its objective with the last night’s outcome and now ranks first in the football rankings, although it played one match less than other teams. Ergotelis ranked with one match less too but the two teams will play a match that Olympiacos will fight to win by all means. So, the white-reds caught up their eternal rival Panathinaikos and both teams have 24 points.
Olympiacos chased chances to score quickly since the beginning of the match. Riera tried to threaten the net of the visiting team in the sixth minute, but the ball went out. PAOK replied in the 17th minute when Pardo attacked Fotakis but the latter pushed the ball away. The home team was visibly struggling to make its way to Kresic’s net. Thus, although they aimed to immediately attack, the next goal chance came in the 25th minute. However, there wasn’t a goal scored. Instead, a squabble broke out between Avraam Papadopoulos and Zuela. The goal was scored in the 37th minute after Mirallas had shot.
Garcia and Ivic attacked Pardo’s net later, but the shots were distant and they didn’t score. PAOK tried to draw the score, but failed. This was when there was an unpleasant scene on the field when Ivic had a fight with Dudu and...paid for his mistake with a yellow card. The first half end Olympiacos ed 1-0.
Olympiacos was the one to control the match after the break. Things got even easier for the home team during the 57th minute when Urtado hit seriously Ivic and received his second yellow card for the evening. So, the player left the field. PAOK had no voice on Karaiskaki with one player less. The white-reds scored their second goal for the evening in the 72nd minute. Mirallas scored it again. Once again he enthused the numerous audiences. PAOK tried to attack again. Muslimovich threatened Pardo in the 86th minute, but the latter pushed the ball away. Two minutes later Rommedahl scored to Kresic and the match ended 3-0 for the home team however incredible it seemed to the players of PAOK.
Here's what the coaches said at a press conference after the end of this dynamic match. Havos Makis said while walking into the room that his team actually won in the first half: "The match result is not an evidence of the quality of the game. We made goal positions in the first half. I believe we were the better team on the field before our player was disqualified."
Ernesto Valverde in turn said that Olympiacos did not press its opponent enough during the first half. "It is true we have some new players who do not play at the same positions and this affects us. PAOK was very good in the first half; it made a lot of troubles to us. There were rapid attacks. Olympiacos played a more balanced game in the second half and attacked more seriously... Every game is different. There is always tension between the players of Olympiacos and PAOK. They deal with each other rather than with the sports part of the match" – concluded the Spaniard.