Fenerbahce vs Olympiakos: UEFA Conference League Quarter-Finals Second Leg Preview

 Fenerbahce vs Olympiakos: UEFA Conference League Quarter-Finals Second Leg Preview


By Stephen Kountourou



UEFA Conference League Quarter-Final Second Leg: 16/04/24


Kick-off Time: 22:00 Greek Time


Venue: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium 


Where to Watch: Cosmote Sport 4 HD



The almost great victory in Piraeus


Olympiakos ran out 3-2 winners in front of a raucous Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Kostas Fortounis opened the scoring with the goal of the round after a mistake from the Febahce defence, allowing the Thrylos captain to put the home side ahead. cruisingJovetic continued his rich vein of form with a second just after the half-hour mark. After Chiqunho made it 3-0 in the second half, Thrylos were cruising. 


However, a poor mistake from Panagiotis Retsos gave the away side a lifeline penalty, which was slotted home by Dusan Tadic. With a way back into the tie, Fenerbahce took advantage of Olympiakos losing control of the match and lowered the deficit further through İrfan Kahveci's header to make it 3-2. 


Mendilibar’s men managed to slow the game's tempo back into their favour with a flurry of late chances but were unable to regain the goal cushion they had lost. Despite another famous European night in Piraeus, Olympiakos will be rueing the conceded goals which has made the trip to Turkey that much harder, in their bid to reach the Conference League semi-finals.


Don't Blink! 


Olympiakos is on the precipice of something great. After achieving their first major quarter-final win in their history at home, Thrylos will travel to Turkey and an atmosphere that will be tougher than anything they have faced yet this season. 


Fenerbahce, despite being the second-best team in Piraeus, smelt blood towards the end of the game with their two goals, and Thrylos cannot allow themselves to blink first in the face of their opponent, as it could spell the end of what has been a magical European run.


If Jose Luis Mendilibar and his players take the plunge this Thursday, play without fear and perform to the same level as the first 65 minutes of the first leg in Karaiskaki, Olympiakos can reach their first semi-finals in their history. 

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