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Olympiacos
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 16, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

3-2

Masuaku (13'), Affelay (31'), Mitroglou (73')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Mandzukic (38'), Griezmann (86')

Player Ratings: Olympiacos 3-2 Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed as Olympiacos beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their Champions League Group A opener.

Former Fulham striker Konstantinos Mitroglou was on the scoresheet this evening as Olympiacos opened their Champions League Group A campaign with a surprise 3-2 win over last season's finalists Atletico Madrid.

Goals from Arthur Masuaku and Ibrahim Afellay moved the home side 2-0 ahead after 31 minutes, but Mario Mandzukic had one back for Atletico late in the first period.

Mitroglou scored his side's third after 73 minutes, with that strike enough to claim all the points after Atletico could not build on a late second from Antoine Griezmann.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the European clash in Greece.


OLYMPIACOS

Goal

Roberto: Could do nothing with either Atletico goal, but did make a number of smart saves throughout the contest, especially in the second period. A real contributor to his side's victory. (7/10)

Defence

Omar Elabdellaoui: Played almost as a winger in the first period as Olympiacos started on the front foot, but was forced back into a defensive position in the second period. (7/10)

Alberto Botia: Used to playing against Atletico from his time in Spain and used all his experience to close out the match in the latter stages. Formed a good partnership with Abidal. (7/10)

Eric Abidal: It is incredible that Abidal is still playing at this level of football, but he is not there on reputation alone. Went toe-to-toe with Mandzukic and frustrated the big Croatian for long spells. (7/10)

Arthur Masuaku: Opened the scoring with a long-range strike in the first period and caused Juanfran problems with his pace and power. Was also impressive defensively in the second period. (8/10)

Midfield

Giannis Maniatis: Tidy enough in possession of the ball, but struggled to match the intensity of Atletico when the tempo increased in the second period. (6/10)

Pajtim Kasami: Very good night for the former Fulham midfielder, who set up Mitroglou for his side's third late on. Caused Atletico all sorts of problems with his pace and movement. (8/10)

Alejandro Dominguez: Put so much into the first period that it was not a surprise when he was substituted early in the second. A classy performer for Olympiacos. (7/10)

Luka Milivojevic: Always prepared to put in a shift, but was guilty of losing possession on a number of occasions in the second period. (7/10)

Ibrahim Afellay: Has had rotten luck with injuries over the last couple of seasons, but returned to Champions League football with a well-taken goal this evening. (7/10)

Attack

Konstantinos Mitroglou: Struggled to keep hold of the ball for long spells, but scored what proved to be a vital third late on with a brilliant close-range finish. (7/10)

Substitutes

David Fuster: Experienced Spaniard replaced Dominguez just before the hour mark, but struggled to influence the match in an attacking sense as Atletico dominated the ball. (6/10)

Delvin N'Dinga: Introduced after 69 minutes to provide cover to his back four and indeed performed that job in the latter stages of the contest. (7/10)

Kostas Giannoulis: Replaced the effective Kasami after 84 minutes to provide an extra body in defence. (6/10)


ATLETICO

Goal

Jan Oblak: Hardly had a save to make on his debut, but had to pick the ball out of the net on three occasions. Might have done a little better for Olympiacos' first of the night. (6/10)

Defence

Juanfran: Proved an attacking threat in the first period, but was unusually wasteful in possession. Was part of a defence that had a disappointing night. (6/10)

Diego Godin: Arguably now one of the best centre-backs in world football, but did not have the best night in Greece. Improved in the second period, but made mistakes in the first. (6/10)

Miranda: Usually forms such a tight shield alongside Godin, but both were off-colour tonight. Difficult to be too critical, but was not at his best. (6/10)

Cristian Ansaldi: Still suspect defensively, but was a real threat in the final third. Set up Mandzukic for Atletico's first and worried Olympiacos in wide positions. (7/10)

Midfield

Mario Suarez: Had a poor night. Wasteful in possession and did not have his usual energy. It was also Suarez's poor challenge that led to the home side's second goal. (5/10)

Gabi: Like against Real Madrid, the midfielder was surprisingly replaced in the early stages of the second period. Atletico lost their balance when the Spaniard departed. (6/10)

Koke: Set up Griezmann for Atletico's second late on and was always busy in the final third, but needed more from his teammates. (7/10)

Attack

Arda Turan: Was the hero against Real Madrid on Saturday, but did not have much of an influence this evening. Tidy enough in possession, but well below his usual standard. (6/10)

Mario Mandzukic: Scored with a brilliant header in the first period, but should have had two or three tonight. Faded in the second half as Olympiacos paid close attention to the Croatian. (7/10)

Raul Garcia: Had some positive moments, especially in the first period, but not his usual self. Was not much of a surprise when he departed just past the hour mark. (6/10)

Substitutes

Antoine Griezmann: Easily his side's best player in the latter stages. Eventually scored after missing two good chances and always looked dangerous in the final third. (7/10)

Alessio Cerci: Was thrown on for his debut with 25 minutes remaining, but failed to make his mark. Will take time to adapt to his new team. (5/10)

Saul Niguez: Entered with 15 minutes remaining, but hardly featured as an attacking threat. (5/10)


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Olympiakos manager Michel Gonzalez gestures on the touchline against Manchester United during their Champions League match on February 25, 2014
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Match Analysis: Olympiacos 3-2 Atletico Madrid
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