Issue No. 13363

 

THEY were dressed like the Men in Black in their gloomy change kit, and Olympiakos coach Zico will no doubt wish that he had one of Hollywood star Will Smith’s magic memory erasing machines after witnessing his team’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Standard Liege.

 

On a night when victory would have sealed a place in the last 16 of the competition following Arsenal’s 4-1 win over AZ Alkmaar, Zico’s men simply failed to deliver against their Group H rivals in the Wednesday, November 4 clash at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

 

Despite controlling most of the possession, the Pireaus club failed to pose a significant attacking threat, a far cry from their previous displays under their Brazilian coach.

 

The result moved third-placed Standard on to four points, two points behind Olympiakos, who are second behind already-qualified Arsenal, with six points after four matches.

 

It all makes for an intriguing finale to the group stage with Olympiakos scheduled to travel to Alkmaar on November 24 before hosting Arsenal in their final match on December 9.

 

Olympiakos failed to even register a single shot on target in a low key first half, of which the only highlight was the hosts’ first goal after 31 minutes. And it was all the more disappointing coming as it did as a by-product of a mistake by experienced defender Olof Mellberg. The Swede was caught out by Eliaquim Mangala’s hopeful long punt forward, handing Dieudonne Mbokani a free run on goal. 

 

Mellberg later went on to fluff the Reds’ best chance to equalize when he volleyed straight at Standard keeper Sinan Bolat from close range in the second half as the visitors chased an unlikely leveler.

 

 Olympiakos were dealt a sucker punch with two minutes left when the impressive Milan Jovanovic headed home.

Already without Matt Derbyshire, Diogo, Vasilis Torosidis and Jauoad Zairi for this match, Luciano Galletti limped off in the first half and Zico admitted the lack of squad depth is as big an issue as ever for the Greek champions. “We have to play with the players we have available and unfortunately we have just one fit striker,” he said. 

 

Olympiakos’ attention immediately turns back to the Super League as the Reds resume their two-horse race with arch rivals Panathinaikos for the title with a home clash with Iraklis.

 

 

Zico’s men secured their eighth win of the season last weekend, 1-0 win away at Atromitos, thanks to Oscar’s late goal ten minutes from time and nothing less than three points will be expected on Saturday 7 November.

 

Djibril Cisse scored both goals for Panathinaikos in their 2-1 win over a resurgent Panionios, and the Greens will be hoping the Frenchman will be in similar mood when Henk ten Cate’s men travel to Leviadiakos on Sunday 8 November.

 

The big story of the week was of course the news that former Inter Milan and Valencia coach Hector Cuper (photo below) was appointed coach of Aris in place of outgoing Brazilian Iomar Mazihno, who has been shown the door following an indifferent start to the season.

 

Cuper, who is best remembered for his spell at Valencia from 1999-2001 when he guided Los Ches to two successive Champions League finals, makes his debut on the Aris bench this Saturday at their home clash with Kavala. 

ATHENS NEWS 06/09/2010, page: 41