Olympiakos 2-0 MU: "Red Devils" lost with conviction

MU lost to Olympiakos with a score that not many people could have imagined before the match. However, this was a reasonable result and not surprising to those who watched this match.

Goal:

Olympiakos: Dominguez (38'), Campbell (55')

At the start of the match, MU started cautiously, passing the ball firmly in the midfield area, while the home players tried to close in to put pressure. Right from the 8th minute, the opportunity came to Olympiakos when Dominguez broke through the penalty area with the ball. However, this midfielder's shot was promptly blocked by Nemanja Vidic.

In the following minutes of the match, MU had more possession of the ball. However, the lack of attacking ideas could not give them a truly overwhelming position. MU's main attack in this match was still simply crosses from both wings. But when passers like Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Patrice Evra or Chris Smalling did not work effectively, Robin Van Persie's lack of the ball to finish was an inevitable consequence.

The situation that led to MU's first goal

While MU was still struggling to find a way into Olympiakos' goal, the home team suddenly opened the scoring in a very lucky way. Maniatis' weak shot from outside the box was intercepted by Dominguez, changing the direction of the ball, leaving goalkeeper David De Gea helpless.

In the second half, the same scenario continued to repeat itself as both teams played cautiously. However, the efficiency in finishing helped the home team score a goal to double the gap. From a seemingly harmless dribble in front of the penalty area, Joe Campbell unexpectedly launched a curling shot and the young player on loan from Arsenal defeated De Gea.

After this goal, MU made two substitutions at the same time when Shinji Kagawa was brought in to replace Tom Cleverley, and Danny Welbeck replaced Valencia. However, MU's style of play remained unchanged. Towards the end of the match, MU had the most significant chance when Van Persie received the ball in a favorable position in the penalty area, but the Dutch striker's shot went over the crossbar. While MU's main striker missed a golden opportunity, their most anticipated star, Wayne Rooney, also played much more subduedly in the first half.

With their attack deadlocked and their key players unable to create a breakthrough, MU has no excuse for this defeat. There are still 90 minutes left for the second leg, but MU must show a more positive appearance if they hope to turn the game around and win a ticket to the quarter-finals of this year's Champions League.

Line-up

Olympiakos: Roberto, Maniatis, Holebas, Manolas, Marcano, Leandro Salino, N'Dinga, Perez (Valdez, 85'), Campbell (Fuster, 67'), Dominguez (Machado, 76'), Olaitan.

MU: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley (Kagawa, 60'), Valencia (Welbeck, 60'), Rooney, Young, Van Persie.

According to Bongdaplus