Olympiacos lose, but impress against Racing

By: Peter Katsiris | August 6th, 2008

Olympiacos fell 3-2 to Spanish side Racing Santander tonight, but the loss was little disappointment to the thousands of fans who packed the Georgios Karaiskaki stadium. Goals from Avraam Papadopoulos and Luciano Galletti were not enough to edge out Racing Santander, who scored via Jonathan Pereira Ebi Smolarek and benefited from a Leonardo own goal.

The game started like it did on many occasions last year, Luciano Galletti bursting down the flank and forcing the opposing keeper into a save. Olympiacos continued the pressure moments later, with a shot from Kostas Mitroglou forcing the keeper into a save. Moments later, Mitroglou was the center of attention once again; this time he scored, but was adjudged in an offside position. Christos Patsatzoglou was pushed away by the Santander keeper. At the other end Racing Santander displayed some attacking flare by slotting home an awkward defensive bounce past Antonis Nikopolidis; Jonathan Pereira claiming the credit. Olympiacos managed to equalize moments later thanks to a header by Avraam Papadopoulos off a set piece from captain Predrag Djordjevic. The hosts nearly took the lead through Galletti’s shot which sailed just over the bar. Taking advantage of their opponents’ misfortunes, Racing reclaimed their lead shortly before half-time. A cross from Pereira was too difficult to handle for Leonardo, and a bad touch from the Brazilian saw the ball roll into the gaping Olympiacos goal.

Out to restore some pride in the second half, a dynamic performance from Olympiacos’ attacking line gave them a flurry of chances. Led by substitute Sebastian Leto, Olympiacos looked keen on scoring and they finally did when Leto was brought down illegally in the penalty box. Galletti step and converted with ease, leveling the game at 2-2. Racing Santander reclaimed the lead once again late in the game. A shot from Polish international Ebi Smolarek made it’s way into the goal, giving the Spanish side the lead for the third time in the match. Darko Kovacevic could have leveled the game three minutes before time, but Olympiacos’ leading goalscorer for 2007/2008 wasn’t able to hit the target behind a sprawling Toño.

Olympiacos, despite the loss, gave its fans the performance they had been waiting for all summer. All is calm in Piraeus ahead of the club’s UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. New signings have blossomed thus far, including Sebastian Leto who showed that he will give Djordjevic a run for his money for a starting spot. Avraam Papadopoulos’ goal was almost a déjà vu of Júlio César goals from last year.

Olympiacos will now prepare for that crucial first leg of their 3rd Qualifying Round tie with Anorthosis Famagusta. The team will travel to Cyprus to take on the Cypriot Champions, before returning to Greece for the return leg.

Olympiacos (Ernesto Valverde): Nikopolidis, Galitsios (46′ Oscar), A. Papadopoulos, Antzas (57′ Żewłakow), Leonardo (69′ Raúl Bravo), Torosidis (72′ Pantos), Patsatzoglou (69′ Mendrinos), Galletti (81′ Šišić), Predrag Djordjevic (57′ Leto), Belluschi (57′ Stoltidis), Mitroglou (57′ Kovačević).

Racing Santander (Juan Ramón López Muñiz): Toño, Oriol, Christian, Jorge López, Óscar Serrano, Pinillos, Zé António, Pereiria, Canales, Juanjo, Edu.