Olympiacos’ European campaign will officially end at the Europa League group stage after an injury time equaliser against SC Freiburg sealed their fate in last place.
The Piraeus club earned a 1-1 away draw with SC Freiburg on Friday morning (AEDT) in the fifth matchday of the group stage, leaving them on two points and four behind third place FC Nantes with only one match left.
The Greek champions started the contest very well with marksman Youssef El Arabi pouncing on a parried save by goalkeeper Mark Flekken, tapping the ball in to give them the lead (17′).
They held onto the lead for nearly the whole game but a corner header from right back Lukas Kubler helped the German side draw level (90+3′), effectively eliminating Olympiacos from Europe with one round of fixtures still to play.
Centre half Ousseynou was given a late red (90+6′) to cap off an unfortunate night for the red and whites.
AEK Larnaca was forced to settle for a 3-3 home draw after a late comeback from Dynamo Kyiv, putting AEK on four points in third.
The hosts went ahead in the 26th minute, thanks to a fantastic jumping volley from playmaker Omri Altman, before striker Vladyslav Vanat equalised for the Ukrainians (45′).
A header from Rafael Lopes restored the Cypriot club’s lead (53′) and Altman doubled it with a strike into the bottom right (72′).
Substitute Denys Garmash then came to Kyiv’s rescue, scoring a header (82′) and releasing a shot following a corner which just snuck into the goal (90+1′).
Omonia suffered a 0-2 home loss to Real Sociedad to remain in bottom place with no points as their European campaign hangs by a thread.
Winger Robert Navarro headed in a cross to give the Spaniards the lead on the stroke of half time (45+2′) and substitute midfielder secured the win with a powerful strike into the bottom left on the hour mark.
Apollon Limassol lost 0-1 away to Sc Dnipro-1 in the fifth matchday of the Europa Conference League group stage, keeping them on four points in third and eliminating them a round early in the process.
Midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalyonok released a swerving long shot in the 39th minute which sailed into the net for the winning goal, with substitute Bassel Zakaria Jradi’s red card adding further disappointment to Limassol’s evening (88′).
AEK and PAOK set for battle in a huge derby between the Double-headed eagles of Greek football
AEK’s winning streak is on the line this weekend as they await a visit from a hungry PAOK eager to bounce back after dropping points again in their last game.
Enosi hosts the Thessaloniki side on Monday morning (AEDT) in the premier fixture of the Greek Super League’s tenth round, and three points are a must for both clubs.
AEK needs to keep their winning run alive in order to close the gap between them and league leaders Panathinaikos, while PAOK finds themselves again in a spot of bother due to a disappointing home draw with Asteras Tripolis last week.
Olympiacos plays Lamia at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground and they will be desperate to take their anger out on them after exiting Europe midweek.
Aris prepares for a visit from OFI and they will hope to get all three points as they fight their way back up the ladder.
Levadiakos takes on Atromitos at home in a must-win game for the promoted side which has gone all season without a win.
Panathinaikos goes away to play Volos (3rd) on Sunday morning in what looms as another blockbuster fixture wherein the Greens’ perfect run of nine straight victories could come to an end.
Ionikos will face Panetolikos at home in the round’s opening fixture, with the Nikaia side still searching for that elusive maiden win this term.
Giannina goes head-to-head with Asteras Tripolis at home in the final game this matchday, with both teams fighting for their second win of the campaign.
Greek Super League Round 10 fixtures (AEDT)
Ionikos-Panetolikos: 01.00, Sun 30 Oct
Volos-Panathinaikos: 03.30, Sun 30 Oct
Olympiacos-Lamia: 01.00, Mon 31 Oct
Levadiakos-Atromitos: 01.30, Mon 31 Oct
AEK-PAOK: 04.30, Mon 31 Oct
Aris-OFI: 05.30, Mon 31 Oct
Giannina-Asteras Tripolis: 03.00, Tue 01 Nov