Atletico Madrid opened their Champions League Group A campaign with a trip to Olympiacos this evening.
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.
The Spanish champions dominated long spells of the second half, but conceded a third late on to Konstantinos Mitroglou.
Antoine Griezmann responded for Atletico, but the home side held on for all three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's Champions League group-stage coverage for the 2014/15 season opens tonight with a host of fixtures due to take place. Here, we are focusing on the Group A clash between Olympiacos and last season's finalists Atletico Madrid. Right, before anything else, let me bring you the all-important team news, which is just filtering through from Greece.
TEAMS
OLYMPIACOS: Roberto; Elabdellaoui, Abidal, Botia, Masuaku; Maniatis, Kasami, Dominguez, Milivojevic; Afellay; Mitroglou
ATLETICO: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Ansaldi; Suarez, Gabi, Koke; Turan, Mandzukic, Garcia
So there we have it. Plenty of familiar faces in the Olympiacos XI this evening, with former Fulham striker Konstantinos Mitroglou leading the line. There are also spots in the team for former Sevilla defender Alberto Botia and former Barcelona attacker Ibrahim Afellay. Experienced former France international Eric Abidal also starts at the heart of the defence for the Greek outfit.
Jan Oblak comes in for his Atletico debut this evening, with the goalkeeper replacing Miguel Moya in the XI. There is also a place at left-back for Cristian Ansaldi, while Arda Turan makes his first start of the season in a wide position. As expected, the midfield three is made up of Mario Suarez, Gabi and Koke.
Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid have met just once in European competition, with the latter winning 4-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals of the 1992/93 European Cup Winners Cup. Both sides impressed during last season's competition, meanwhile, and neither will be taking this first match for granted.
Olympiacos lost 4-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in their first home match of last season's competition, but recovered to eventually qualify from the section alongside the French club. They beat Manchester United 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 clash in Greece, but a Robin van Persie hat-trick at Old Trafford helped United book their spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament at the expense of the Greek side.
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One thing is for certain, Olympiacos are used to winning football matches. Last season they won their fourth consecutive Greek title - winning 16 of their 17 league fixtures on their own patch. That said, the Greek side have lost five and drawn one of their last six matches against Spanish sides.
Olympiacos' last victory over Spanish opposition occurred in the 2005/06 group stages against Real Madrid, when Rivaldo scored a late winner for the Greek side. It mattered little in terms of the tournament as a whole, however, with the club still exiting in the group stages that particular season.
As mentioned, they made the last-16 stage last season, which was also the case in the 2009/10 season. The last time that they progressed past that stage was in the 1998/99 season, when they made the quarter-finals. In truth, it would be seen as a big achievement if they made it out of this group. Rightly, Atletico and Juventus are seen as the favourites to progress, with Olympiacos seemingly fighting Malmo for third.
Olympiacos have started their domestic season, meanwhile, with seven points from their first three games, with that total leaving them in third position in the table, two points behind leaders Veria. They enter the match off the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 win over OFI on Saturday.
Tonight will also be a special occasion for Olympiacos boss Michel, who as a player for Real Madrid, faced Atletico 25 times between 1984 and 1996. His record as a player was strong, winning 15 times. Michel has also coached Getafe and Sevilla against Atletico, with his managerial record reading played six, won two, drawn two and lost two. Little under 30 minutes until kickoff in Greece this evening.
Atletico, meanwhile, will also enter the match full of confidence after beating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Bernabeu in La Liga on Saturday. It is the first time in their history that they have won back-to-back La Liga matches at the home of Real Madrid, with that victory meaning that they have also taken seven points from their first three league games. As a result, they enter this match full of confidence.
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As mentioned, Atletico, who won La Liga last term, reached the final of the Champions League last season, where they met Real Madrid. Atletico were less than two minutes away from winning the trophy having led through a Diego Godin header deep into injury time, but Sergio Ramos equalised for Madrid in stoppage time, with Carlo Ancelotti's side eventually going on to claim their 10th European Cup with a 4-1 win.
Atletico beat the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea on their way to the final and will once again be among the favourites to triumph this time around. Incredibly, last season was their first campaign in the Champions League since the 2009/10 season, when they exited in the group stages. However, in recent years they have won two Europa Leagues and two UEFA Super Cups.
Atletico's away record in the Champions League last season was extraordinary, with the capital outfit remaining unbeaten in all six of their away games, with that run of form including wins at Porto, AC Milan and Chelsea. They really are the masters at grinding out results at difficult grounds.
The Spanish side's record in Greece, however, is not so strong. They have won just one of their six matches in Greece, losing three times in the process. Their only win occurred in the playoffs for the 2009/10 Champions League, when they won 3-2 at Panathinaikos.
It has been a busy summer in terms of transfers for Atletico. Key players in the shape of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis and Thibaut Courtois have all exited for Chelsea, while the experience of David Villa has been lost in attack. They have managed to keep the bulk of their title-winning squad from last season, however, in addition to adding a host of new players, with three new signings in their team tonight.
PREDICTION: This is just the type of match that Atletico won last season, but Olympiacos will provide a serious test this evening. On paper, Atletico are the favourites, but I am finding it difficult to back an away win in this particular match. My score prediction is a 1-1 draw in Greece.
It is a warm evening in Greece, with the temperature around 24 degrees at this stage of proceedings. Atletico will be well used to it, however, which should have them an advantage over other teams from colder nations.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium. This place will be jumping if Olympiacos find the back of the net this evening. It is a big test for Atletico, but they are well used to big matches at this stage.
Just a reminder that Group A's other two teams Juventus and Malmo meet in Italy this evening. In truth, you would expect Juve to start with three points there. Right, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes of action underway.
BOOKING! Gabi is booked inside two minutes for Atletico after diving into a challenge with Kasami. Early possession for the away side is met by boos from the home supporters.
Plenty for the referee to deal with in the early stages as Kasami challenges Mandzukic, who is left on the deck. Not too much in the way of football in the opening four minutes, with two late challenges keeping Kasami and then Mandzukic on the ground. It has dampened the noise inside the stadium it must be said.
Mandzukic is in a really bad way at the moment as the striker sits on the ground with blood coming from his nose. Could an early change occur here? The match is six minutes old and no football has been played.
We are back underway following that stoppage. It is still unclear whether Mandzukic will continue...
Decent pressure from the home side in the last couple of minutes, with Afellay and Kasami both involved in the final third, but Godin is across to clear with a header. Atletico attempt to break with Garcia, but the Spaniard is left isolated in attack. Still no sign of Mandzukic as Atletico play with 10 men.
Abidal tries his luck for the home side after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Mandzukic, meanwhile, looks like he will soon re-join proceedings here.
Mandzukic has indeed returned to the field. The Atletico striker is the target from a Koke cross, but Abidal is across to clear. The resulting corner is delivered by Koke, but the danger is cleared. The home side attempt to break with Dominguez, but Godin is across to challenge. Good tempo to the match now.
CHANCE! Olympiacos come close to taking the lead as Elabdellaoui delivers a dangerous cross towards Mitroglou, but Miranda is across to clear at the vital moment. Brilliant defending.
GOAL! Olympiacos 1-0 Atletico (Masuaku)
Wow! The home side take the lead with 13 minutes on the clock as Masuaku collects a short corner before drilling one into the bottom corner. Should Oblak have done a little better? Maybe, just maybe.
Atletico boss Simeone does not look happy in the stands. Atletico just have not started here as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. This is a real test for the Spanish champions.
Atletico have just started to see more of the ball in the last couple of minutes, but the Greek side are compact in the final third. Masuaku is again in an advanced position for Olympiacos, but Juanfran is across to challenge the Frenchman. Atletico really need a period with possession of the ball here.
CHANCE! Atletico's best chance falls to Mandzukic as the forward meets a corner from Koke, but his header is over the crossbar. Good chance for the Croatian to level the scores here.
Another half-chance for Mandzukic as the Atletico forward meets a cross from Koke, but his header is wide of the post. Much better from the away side in the last few minutes, but Olympiacos remain a serious threat down the other end with their pace and movement. Little over 25 minutes of the first period remaining.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Garcia meets a cross from Ansaldi, but his header is over the crossbar. Plenty of good attacking moments for the away side in the last couple of minutes. Atletico were never going to sit back and accept falling behind. This is Diego Simeone's team after all.
Mandzukic again threatens for Atletico after meeting another cross from Koke, but his header is straight at Abidal. The home team just cannot keep the ball at the moment - it has been a really good response from the away team. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Atletico are in complete control of this match. The shift in power has somewhat quietened the crowd, which is just what Atletico boss Diego Simeone would have wanted. That said, the home side still lead 1-0 in Greece.
Another half-chance for Atletico as the Spanish side advance into the box before Turan strikes towards goal, but Abidal is on hand to make a fine block. It is simply all one-way traffic here.
CHANCE! Atletico come close once again as Juanfran drives down the right before curling a cross towards the near post, but Garcia cannot make clear contact. The home side might lead, but I cannot stress how dominant Atletico are. Olympiacos are all over the place at the back here.
GOAL! Olympiacos 2-0 Atletico (Afellay)
Oh my word. Completely against the run of play Olympiacos have their second here. It is poor defending from Atletico as a challenge from Suarez falls straight to Afellay, who finishes into the bottom corner.
Atletico have been the better team for long periods of this match, but find themselves 2-0 behind here. Another long ball is fired into Mandzukic, but Abidal is on hand to challenge the Croatian.
This is always a difficult place to come, as Manchester United found out last season. Atletico attempt to break with Mandzukic once more, but the play is stopped when Dominguez clashes with Ansaldi. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the Greek outfit lead last season's finalists 2-0.
BOOKING! Dominguez goes into the book for Olympiacos for a late challenge on Ansaldi.
GOAL! Olympiacos 2-1 Atletico (Mandzukic)
Game on! Atletico open their tally for the evening as Mandzukic heads a deep Ansaldi cross into the back of the net. Brilliant from the Croatian. That changes things!
Atletico break forward again with Ansaldi, who has been very bright in this first period. The full-back attempts to poke a cross into the dangerous Mandzukic, but Abidal is on hand to clear the danger.
Not too many goals in the Champions League this evening, but this has been a wonderful game of football thus far. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals at this stage as Atletico continue to force the issue in the latter stages of the half. There should be a fair chunk of stoppage time here.
Handbags here as both sets of players clash in the middle of the pitch...
BOOKINGS! Maniatis goes into the book for the home side for that clash, while Koke is booked for Atletico. It all stemmed from Atletico not playing it out when Dominguez was on the ground.
HALF-TIME: Olympiacos 2-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Olympiacos winning 2-1. The home side led 2-0 courtesy of goals from Masuaka and Afellay, but Mandzukic had one back for Atletico late in the half. In truth, the visitors have been much the better team in the first 45 minutes in Greece.
STATS! Atletico have had more of the ball with 55%, while they have had nine attempts, but just one of those has been on target. Olympiacos, meanwhile, have hit the target with two of their four attempts. There have also been four bookings issued - two for each side.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening with Durmaz, Giannoulis and Ndinga all available. Meanwhile, Atletico have the likes of Cerci, Griezmann and Saul in reserve. Plenty of talent on both benches this evening that is for certain.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period in Greece. If Atletico score the next goal then you would have to fancy them to go on and claim all the points. However, Olympiacos have shown their threat on the counter already this evening. The visitors get the second half underway.
No changes from either manager at the break, which is not much of a surprise it must be said. However, as mentioned, both sides have plenty of options on the sidelines. It is the away side that have taken control of the possession in the early stages of the second period, with Koke's through pass collected by Roberto.
Possession football from Atletico as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but the home side are well organised it must be said. Juanfran hits one from outside the box, but Roberto collects.
The home side just cannot keep the ball at the moment and another half-chance comes to Atletico as Ansaldi rolls a low cross into Mandzukic, but the Croatian loses control at the vital moment. Atletico need to be wary of Olympiacos' threat on the counter, but they are in complete control here.
It is defence against attack as Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the box. Eventually a cross is delivered into Mandzukic, but the striker is penalised for a challenge at the far post. Still no movement on either bench, but Olympiacos boss Michel must be considering a change at this stage of the match.
Half-chance for the home side as Mitroglou finds some space in the final third before collecting a pass from Dominguez, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Poor from the former Fulham striker.
SUB! Atletico make their first change as Griezmann replaces Gabi.
SUB! The home side respond with a change as David Fuster replaces Dominguez.
Little over 30 minutes of this remaining and still the home side lead 2-1. In truth, it has been a match dominated by Atletico, with Olympiacos' second coming against the run of play. Still plenty of time for the Spanish champions to turn this one around and it would not be much of a surprise.
CHANCE! Atletico come close to levelling as Turan feeds Griezmann, who fires one towards the top corner from inside the box, but Roberto is on hand to make a fine save.
SAVE! It is Griezmann against Roberto once more as the Atletico forward fires one towards the bottom corner, but the stopper makes a fine save. The pressure is increasing.
CLOSE! Turan is next to come close for Atletico after striking one towards the top corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post. The pressure is just incredible. How on earth are the Greek side winning this match? Still more than 25 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Koke floats a dangerous free kick towards Miranda, but the home side just about manage to clear. The Greek outfit cannot keep the ball, however, as the pressure continues. It is a long time for Olympiacos to hold on if that is the game that they are playing here.
SUB! Cerci comes on for his Atletico debut in place of Garcia.
Olympiacos manage to test Oblak with a free kick, but the Atletico stopper collects before releasing Juanfran down the other end. That is just about as much as the home side have had in this second period. If Atletico score in the next 10 minutes or so then you would fancy them to go on and claim all the points.
SUB! Second change for the home side as N'Dinga replaces Afellay.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but the home side have managed to stem the flow of pressure with a period of possession. Not too much happening at the moment here.
GOAL! Olympiacos 3-1 Atletico (Mitroglou)
Would you believe it?! Olympiacos have their third as Mitroglou coverts from close range after collecting a cross from Kasami. Again, poor defending from the Spanish outfit.
Olympiacos just have not been in this second period, but they now have a two-goal lead with little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining. Can Atletico rally in the latter stages?
SUB! Saul replaces Suarez for Atletico.
Turan delivers another cross into the Olympiacos box, but Roberto is on hand to claim once more. Olympiacos are now fairly comfortable in defensive areas, which has not been the case for long spells tonight.
Turan again threatens for the away side by delivering a cross into Mandzukic, but Botia is on hand to clear. Botia and Abidal have both been very impressive in the second period. Little over 10 minutes of this contest remaining as Cerci heads straight into the arms of Roberto from close range.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes as the home side enjoy possession of the ball. The third goal for Olympiacos really hurt Atletico and their intensity in the final third.
Half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann meets a near-post corner from Koke, but his header is over the crossbar. Time is running out for the Spanish side as Olympiacos prepare to make their third change.
SUB! Kasami leaves the field for the home side, with Kostas Giannoulis entering.
GOAL! Olympiacos 3-2 Atletico (Griezmann)
Game on! Griezmann has one back for Atletico as the Frenchman converts a low cross from Koke.
Mitroglou attempts to respond down the other end for the home side, but his effort is straight at Oblak. Can Atletico score an unlikely equaliser here? There is still plenty of time for that to occur.
Another half-chance for Atletico as Mandzukic meets a high ball inside the box - aiming for Griezmann, but the Frenchman cannot react and the danger is cleared. Stoppage time is approaching in Greece.
BOOKING! Griezmann is booked for Atletico for dissent.
Atletico continue to float balls into the Olympiacos box, but time is running out here. Turan tries his luck from outside the box, but Botia is in the way once more.
FULL-TIME: Olympiacos 3-2 Atletico
So there we have it. A big win for Olympiacos as they open their campaign with a 3-2 success over last season's finalists Atletico Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for plenty of reaction from tonight's matches. Until next time!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
