domingo, 27 de enero de 2013

News

Last-gasp Olympiakos leave Montpellier in need of a miracle:

Olympiakos defended for 70 minutes at Karaiskaki Stadium in Piraeus but walked away with a valuable 3-1 win over Montpellier in the Champions League, thanks to goals from Paulo Machado, Leonardo Greco and Costas Mitroglou.
 The Greek champions play their two remaining games away to Schalke and then at home to Arsenal in Group B, with a shot at qualification to the knock out stages.
 Greco set up the opening goal in the 4th minute, expertly cutting through the French defence to find Djamel Abdoun in the penalty area. The Algerian struck the left post with his shot but Paulo Machado was on hand to chip past goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourden.
 Then, inexplicably, the Greeks sat back, handing Montpellier winger Younes Belhanda an invitation wreak havoc for most of the match.
 The 22-year-old Moroccan finally got the equaliser in the 66th minute, converting a penalty kick.
Croatian referee Marijo Strahonja awarded the spot kick after Soulaymane Camara fell to ground after jostling in the penalty area with Dimitris Siovas.
 "I wasn't close to the incident, but it didn't look like a penalty," Olympiakos defender Giannis Maniatis said. "It made us play more stubbornly and improve our game."
 He was right: Olympiakos sprung to life after appearing hapless for much of the game.
 The French failed to dispose of a corner from Jose Holebas in the 80th minute, and Greco blasted the ball through a crowded penalty area past Jourden to make it 2-1.
 Holebas laid on another two minutes later, his cross met by Mitroglou who had played as a stranded striker all evening before showing little hesitation when his chance came - 3-1 Olympiakos.
 "We were not afraid and players stayed strong," said Olympiakos manager Leonardo Jardim, insisting his players had stuck to their game plan and soaked up pressure from Montpellier after taking the lead.
 "We interrupted their game... I Think the victory was absolutely fair. We have six points left for the taking and we will fight for them."
 Montpellier pulled off a stunning French league win last season, but have not carried their success over to Europe, finishing the night without a Champions League win in four matches.
 "To be realistic, it would take a miracle to get third place in the group," said Montpellier coach Rene Girard. "We collapsed in the last ten minutes. It's happened to us before but I can't explain it."

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