Olympiacos stumbled in their opening Champions League clash, failing to capitalise on an extra player advantage as Pafos hung on for a famous draw.

The “red-whites” and the reigning Cypriot champions played out a goalless draw at Georgios Karaiskakis ground on Thursday morning (AEST) in the first matchday of the Champions League’s League Phase.

Pafos suffered a huge setback in the 25th minute of their first ever Champions League match when Bruno Felipe was sent off for a second yellow, a hurdle that seemed destined to cost them the game.

Despite that, they hung on well and managed to defend their goal successfully.

The Piraeus outfit were able to create some threatening chances, with captain Panagiotis Retsos unleashing a corner header in the 69th minute that forced a reflex save out of Neofytos Michael.

Michael came up again with a solid save from a Mehdi Taremi header in the 89th minute, with the Pafos defence popping up with crucial blocks on numerous occasions to keep the game at 0-0.

Olympiacos will view it as a disappointing start to their European campaign, particularly since they had an extra man advantage for over an hour of the contest.

For Pafos, it represents a well-earned point they will no doubt be proud to have earned especially under the circumstances.

PAOK fall to Levadiakos in shock Cup upset

The Thessaloniki giants’ Greek Cup campaign has gotten off to a shaky start after becoming victim to a 4-1 away defeat at the hands of Levadiakos on Thursday morning.

PAOK suffered a comprehensive loss in the first matchday of the Greek Cup’s League Phase, with the “blue-greens” impressing in their opening bout of their Cup campaign.

The first goal came in the 12th minute through an own goal by PAOK defender Tomasz Kedziora, with the travellers making it level via Fedor Chalov’s 36th minute penalty.

Levadiakos managed to cut short any feelings of confidence as they regained the advantage in the 40th minute through Marios Vichos, and they put the game to bed with two more goals in the first ten minutes of the second period.

The first of those goals arrived in the 51st minute when Fabricio Pedrozo converted a penalty, with Georgios Manthatis following it up two minutes later with a fourth and final goal.

Panathinaikos secured a vital win to lift their spirits following the sacking of Rui Vitoria, with the “Trifylli” beating second division team Kallithea at “Leoforos” Stadium.

Panathinaikos claimed all three points with a professional 1-0 victory, providing a much-needed confidence boost ahead of their massive derby with Olympiacos.

The “Trifylli” found their winner in the 30th minute via recent signing Cyriel Dessers, bagging what he hopes to be the first of many goals with the Greens.

AEK similarly earned a narrow win over a second division team, beating Egaleo 0-1 away on Wednesday night via Frantzdy Pierrot’s 23rd minute strike.

Full Results from 1st matchday of Greek Cup League Phase

Tuesday morning (16 Sep)

Ilioupoli-Volos 1-3

Wednesday evening (17 Sep)

Kifisia-Asteras Tripolis 1-1

Panetolikos-Aris 0-1

OFI-Kavala 3-0

Egaleo-AEK 0-1

Atromitos-Ellas Syrou 4-2

Thursday morning (18 Sep)

Levadiakos-PAOK 4-1

Marko-Larissa 2-2

Panathinaikos-Kallithea 1-0