04 December 2014
With various countries around Europe engaging in midweek action, the Bianconeri’s Champions League Group A rivals Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid both took to the field on Wednesday.
Looking to overtake their opponents at the top of the Super League Greece, Michel’s men hosted a high-flying PAOK outfit who had only succumbed to one domestic defeat so far this season – a 2-1 home loss to Panathinaikos on Sunday 9 November.
And it was to be the visitors who would inflict the same result on Olympiacos yesterday evening at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
PAOK took the lead two minutes before the break through captain Stefanos Athanasiadis but the hosts levelled matters in first-half stoppage time thanks to David Fuster’s finish.
Nudging themselves in front once more four minutes into the second half were the away side, Facundo Pereyra turning home to ensure their ninth victory of this 2014/15 campaign.
The result means that PAOK have now opened up a five-point gap on reigning champions Olympiacos at the summit of Super League Greece.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid - Juventus’ opponents in their final Champions League meeting of the season - eased past Catalonia-based L’Hospitalet with a 3-0 away win in yesterday’s Copa del Rey last 32 first leg fixture.
Atletico dominated from the first whistle against the third-tier minnows but had to wait until the 67th minute to take the lead when substitute Antoine Griezmann struck.
Club captain Gabi and Cristian Rodriguez both added their names to the scoresheet in the final 10 minutes as Diego Simeone’s men took a giant leap towards a mouthwatering last 16 tie with fierce inter-city rivals Real Madrid.
