The Greek side seal third place in Group A after late goals from Kostas Mitroglou and Ibrahim Afellay end the Swedish resistance in Piraeus.
Olympiacos FC’s European adventure will continue in the UEFA Europa League despite the Greek champions claiming a hard-earned 4-2 win over Malmö FF in Piraeus in their final Group A match.
Late goals from Kostas Mitroglou and substitute Ibrahim Afellay in the last four minutes of regulation time ended the resistance of the Swedes, who had twice drawn level. Alejandro Domínguez’s sensational volley and David Fuster’s opener sandwiched Simon Kroon’s strike for the visitors, before Markus Rosenberg made it 2-2 with nine minutes left.
Míchel’s team got the necessary third straight home win to give themselves a chance of progress, but Juventus also did what was required by drawing at home to Club Atletico de Madrid, meaning the Italians finished second. Malmö ended bottom of the section.
Olympiacos started confidently with midfielder Fuster drawing a stop from Robin Olsen with a low shot. Olsen then made a fine double save from Domínguez’s cross-shot and Pajtim Kasami’s close-range follow up as the hosts asserted their authority. Such enterprising play was rewarded in the 22nd minute when Fuster headed home Kasami’s knock-on from Arthur Masuaku’s long throw. Malmö found it difficult to retain possession and it spoke volumes that they failed to register a single first-half effort on target, with Delvin N’Dinga’s header against his own crossbar their only sight of goal.
Olmypiacos began the second period as the first, with a forward surge and Mitroglou was only denied a goal by Olsen’s superb point-blank reflexes. At 1-0, however, Malmö were still in contention, and their patience paid off after 59 minutes when a quick counterattack saw substitute Kroon restore parity with his first touch from Emil Forsberg’s precise cross just two minutes after coming on.
But Olympiacos hit back almost immediately, the inspired Domínguez volleying brilliantly past Olsen after Markus Halsti’s poor defensive header. The Swedish title holders levelled again though, with Rosenberg tapping in his third goal in six matches from Anton Tinnerholm’s excellent delivery. Even so, Olympiacos had the last word as Mitroglou nodded home with three minutes remaining, and then Afellay slotting in Kasami’s pass. Enock Adu’s dismissal for a challenge on Kasami completed a miserable night for Åge Hareide’s team.
source: uefa.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 