Olympiacos have a difficult road ahead of them if they wish to achieve anything in Europe this season, losing comfortably to SC Freiburg to give the Greek champions a huge early hurdle to overcome.
The Piraeus club fell 0-3 at home to the German outfit on Friday morning (AEST) in the second matchday of the group stage, keeping the Greek premiers pointless in their opening two European matches.
Freiburg took the lead early into the game after winger Vincenzo Grifo’s free kick was headed into the bottom left by midfielder Nicolas Hofler (5′) before striker Michael Gregoritsch added in the second with a strike into the top left (25′).
Gregoritsch then smashed the ball into the back of the net from a team movement following a corner for the fixture’s final goal (52′).
AEK Larnaca secured a fantastic 0-1 away success over Dynamo Kyiv to move to three points in third, thanks to a phenomenal free kick from forward Adam Gyurcso which sailed into the top left corner (8′).
Omonia suffered a hard-fought 2-1 away loss to Real Sociedad to remain in fourth in their group.
The Spanish team took the lead on the half hour mark through a powerful long-range strike from midfielder Ander Guevara which flew into the top left corner.
Omonia managed to draw level after a major mix-up at the back allowed substitute forward Bruno to score a tap-in (72′) but Sociedad soon restored their lead through a sliding finish into the bottom left from striker Alexander Sorloth (80′).
Apollon Limassol was defeated 1-3 at home to SC Dnipro-1 in the second matchday of the Europa Conference League group stage, keeping them in third with a single point.
The Ukrainian club went ahead in the 11th minute after midfielder Valentin Rubchynskyi scored into an empty net from close range before striker Artem Dovbyk doubled their lead from a similar situation (25′).
Dovbyk made it three to close the first half when teammate Busanello’s pass across goal allowed the striker to score another easy effort (45′).
The Cypriot champions found what proved to be a consolation goal in the 57th minute when forward Ioannis Pittas guided Chambos Kyriakou’s cross into the bottom left on the volley.
Aris set for enormous challenge as they prepare for a visit from Olympiacos
Aris will have to bring their best as they ready themselves for one of the hardest home games of their season against reigning premiers Olympiacos.
The yellow-blacks host the Piraeus giants in the headline fixture of the Greek Super League’s 5th round on Monday morning (AEST) as they look to record back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign.
The current champions come into the contest in bad form after a poor European loss midweek and they will be eager to earn all three points to correct this, as well as to keep towards the top of the ladder.
PAOK travels away to face OFI in a bid to keep their strong league start going, having bagged ten points from their first four outings.
Volos battles Ionikos at home in a crucial match for the Nikaia side, which is still without a win this term after recording three losses and a draw in the opening four rounds.
Levadiakos challenges Asteras Tripolis in a home fixture wherein both sides are still striving for their debut victory of the season, with the Arcadians especially frustrated after losing last weekend following three consecutive stalemates.
Panathinaikos faces Giannina at “Leoforos” on Sunday morning in their fourth home game of the campaign as they bid to make it five straight wins and extend their place in first for another week.
AEK competes with Panetolikos away and Enosi will be hoping they can bounce back from their disappointing loss to the “Trifylli” last round.
Atromitos takes on Lamia at home and the Fthiotida side comes in desperate for a victory after failing to earn maximum points in all of their matches thus far.
Greek Super League Round 5 fixtures (AEST)
Atromitos-Lamia: 03.00, Sun 18 Sep
Panetolikos-AEK: 03.00, Sun 18 Sep
Panathinaikos-Giannina: 04.30, Sun 18 Sep
Levadiakos-Asteras Tripolis: 01.00, Mon 19 Sep
OFI-PAOK: 02.00, Mon 19 Sep
Aris-Olympiacos: 03.00, Mon 19 Sep
Volos-Ionikos: 04.00, Mon 19 Sep
