Optimum Olympiacos keen to edge closer to Qualification

By: Peter Katsiris | December 3rd, 2008

Less than a week after their 5-1 triumph against Benfica in Greece, Olympiacos takes to the road to visit Metalist Kharkiv at the Oblasny SportComplex Metalist in Kharkiv. Both clubs produced prime performances last week, with Metalist slipping past Galatasaray in Istanbul. With potential qualification for the Round of 32 on the line in Kharkiv tonight, both sides will be hungry for an encore performance in Ukraine.

With Kharkhiv’s shock win in Turkey, Group B has been blown wide open. The Turkish Champions still lead the group, but Metalist could clinch a berth in the next round with a win against their Greek counterparts. Olympiacos, meanwhile, could set up a spot in the next round with another win on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian outfit didn’t let their triumph in Turkey distract them this weekend in their domestic campaign. The ‘Zhovto-Syni’ edged potential relegation candidates Tavriya Simferopol 1-0 thanks to Ruslan Fomin’s second half strike. The win closed the gap between the UEFA Cup participants, and capital club Dynamo Kiev to just three points; but their superiors have a game in hand.

In Europe, the club from Ukraine’s second largest city have not let the shouldered expectations overwhelm them. Apart from their shock win in Turkey, Metalist hosted and held Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin to a scoreless draw.

For Olympiacos, life out of the UEFA Champions League was supposed to be painful; however, the ‘Eruthroleuki’ have not let their Champions League elimination dampen their spirits. With continuous success in the Super League, Olympiacos looks to be set for another Super League triumph at season’s end – despite only twelve rounds played. The most recent success came this past Sunday where Panionios could only succumb to the wrath of Olympiacos’ offense at the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium, as the hosts routed Takis Lemonis’ side by a score of 4-1.

European ambitions haven’t suffered either, with the only blunder coming against Galatasaray in Turkey. On that night the Greek Champions struggle to find their form and fell 1-0 to the Turkish Champions, but last Thursday’s 5-1 thrashing of Benfica tipped Olympiacos’ superiority.

As they expected in Piraeus less than a week ago, Wednesday night’s match will likely rely on tactics, in what is expected to be a tight clash. With a chilly night on tap for the former capital of Soviet Ukraine, the Greek club from the largest European port city will look to heat things up in Kharkiv.

Ernesto Valverde has the bright fortunes of choosing from a near healthy squad. The only scratch for the Piraeus club is Darko Kovacevic; with the Serb nursing an injury he picked up against Benfica last Thursday to join Greek midfielder Ieroklis Stoltidis on the sidelines. The Spanish tactician does, however, have the option to call upon the services of Vasilis Torosidis who returns from a three-match layoff due to injury.

As qualification hopes continue to linger in two of Europe’s most cultured cities, the clash between two Group B contenders hold heavy importance. With just three points separating Metalist from the promise land, the Ukrainian club holds its fate in their own hands. Likewise for Olympiacos, a win would set the stage for Olympiacos’ progression; however, to confirm their spot in the knockout stages as early as this week, Galatasaray would have to beat Hertha Berlin at the Olympiastadion.