After a recent spell of lackluster performance Olympiacos managed to return to good form with a 4-2 win against Swedish champions Malmö at the Karaiskakis Stadium, for the final group stage match. Unfortunately though, with Juventus and Atlético drawing in Turin, the “reds” were left in third place, meaning that they will continue their European campaign in the Europa League.
In the Tuesday-evening match Olympiacos was the clear favorite and was quick to assert its dominance on the pitch. The Greek team pressured Malmö early on, missing a great opportunity to open the score just ten minutes into the game with a wonderful play between Dominguez and Kasami. The score however opened with a header by fan-favorite David Fuster (22’).
The Swedish team retreated, but in the second half managed to level the score with Simon Kroon (59’), after a major failure in Olympiacos’ defensive line. The Swedes didn’t have much time to celebrate though, as Alejandro Domínguez (63’) put the Greek team ahead again with an outstanding strike from outside the box.
Olympiacos continued to pressure Malmö for another goal and missed scores of opportunities with Mitroglou, Fuster and Afellay (who came on as a substitution later in the second half). The Swedish champions did not have their last say though and leveled the game once again, this time with team captain Markus Rosenberg (81′).
Once more though, the Greek team was quick to respond, this time with Kostas Mitroglou (87’), while Ibrahim Affelay’s goal near the end of regular time (90’) gave a triumphant tone to Olympiacos’ win. Midfielder Enock Adu was unnecessarily aggressive in a tackle against Pajtim Kasami and received a second yellow card shortly after.
