02 November 2014
With the fourth round of Champions League Group A encounters firmly on the horizon, Juventus’ UCL rivals were all in domestic action on Saturday in their respective leagues.
Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with the Bianconeri in Turin, Olympiacos struggled to break down a ten-man Asteras Tripolis outfit as they drew 0-0 in Arcadia in the day’s late kick-off.
Michel’s men were unable to capitalise on their man advantage after Argentine forward Pablo Mazza was sent off for the home side three minutes before the interval.
Yesterday’s result sees the Greek champions close the gap on first-placed PAOK Salonika to two points but having played a game more.
Earlier on in the day, Age Hareide’s Malmo brought their domestic season to a close with 2-1 defeat away at midtable Atvidabergs.
Anton Tinnerholm gave the 2014 Allsvenskan holders the lead on the half hour mark but Ricardo Santos equalised 360 seconds for the home side ahead of the half-time whistle.
Johan Hammar was then given his marching orders for the away team two minutes after the break before Atvidabergs' Kristian Bergstrom struck the game’s winner midway through the second-half.
Elsewhere, Atletico – who travel to Malmo’s Swedbank Stadion in two days’ time – warmed up for their game with the Swedish champions as they overcame Cordoba 4-2 in an entertaining encounter at the Vicente Calderon.
Diego Simeone’s men took the lead 120 seconds before half-time when Luso turned into his own net but Cordoba hit back eight minutes after the restart through Nabil Ghilas.
Antoine Griezmann’s strike just shy of the hour mark reestablished the home side’s advantage before Mario Mandzukic made it three after 62 minutes.
Raul Garcia ensured the points ten minutes from time before Cordoba then grabbed themselves a consolation thanks to Ghilas’ second goal of the game.
Following Barcelona’s surprise home defeat to Celta Vigo, Atletico now find themselves in second position and a point behind arch-rivals Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga.
