Issue No. 13368

 

Passion, Strength, Pride, Glory. The huge banner draped behind the goal where the Olympiakos Gate 7 ‘ultras’ reside at the Karaiskakis stadium spelled out quite aptly the emotions the Greek club’s players, management and fans were feeling after another highly-charged European night in Piraeus ended in successful qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League.

 

Zico’s team may not have beaten the ‘real’ Arsenal at the Karaiskakis on December 9. Arsene Wenger, with his team already safely through to the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition as Group H winners, left his stars at home for the trip to the Greek capital.

 

But that didn’t matter. What counted was Leonardo’s impressive surge forward and composed finish just two minutes into the second half. It was the Brazilian winger’s strike which proved the difference between the teams in the 1-0 victory.

 

With an average age of just 21, Arsenal fielded the youngest team in the Champions League this season. And they remained determined to try to avoid defeat in Greece with only Leonardo’s leg on the line preventing Aaron Ramsey from poking in an equaliser in the final two minutes.

 

In the end it was perhaps the determination shown by the hosts’ defence on what was a busy night for veteran goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis and his defensive colleagues, which was more significant. Nikopolidis clearly enjoyed himself. “It’s nights like these which tempt you to continue your career,” said the former Greece keeper, who at the footballer’s ripe old age of 39 has already announced he will end his playing career at the end of the current season.

 

Despite some of the shine being taken off the victory due to the fact that it was gained against Wenger’s youngsters, Zico spoke of his delight at reaching the first knockout round.

 

“We are all very happy as we played well,” said the Brazil legend. “We went for the win from the first minute and our fans can enjoy this moment, especially after the support they gave us during the game.

“It’s a major achievement for this team when you consider we have suffered major injuries along the way so we have exceeded expectations by qualifying for the next round.”

 

“I think the next phase will be just as difficult as the group stage,” Zico added. “I have no preference as to which team we get in the next round and I’m sure the other teams will not want to be drawn against Olympiakos either. If they do, they are making a mistake.”

 

For his part, Wenger said: “I expected to suffer more tonight but we didn’t. We were caught cold at the start of the second half. We had two clear-cut chances to come back but after that it became difficult. We lacked composure in the final third.”

 

“I’m proud that we had a positive performance and these players represented Arsenal well.” 

ATHENS NEWS 08/03/2010, page: 41