Olympiakos vs Maccabi Haifa UCL 2nd Qualifying Round Preview

 Olympiakos vs Maccabi Haifa 

UCL 2nd Qualifying Round Preview 

By Stephen Kountourou

Seconds. Seconds were the difference between me getting my prediction exactly right last Wednesday evening as Olympiakos were hosted by Maccabi Haifa. But sadly what I also said could be Thrylos downfall, happened. The team's concentration lapsed at the final moments of added time which resulted in an equaliser at the death. 

Now with the home tie looming it is all to play for with the aggregate score deadlocked at 1-1. Can Olympiakos finally overcome Israeli opposition and progress to the next round, with Apollon Limassol lying in wait? Or will Thrylos crash out of the Champions League qualifiers for the second consecutive season with the supporter's frustration on social media ready to burst its banks? 

Brief 1st Leg Review 

At a packed Sammy Ofer Stadium, it was the away side that started the brighter of the two teams. Within the first 10 minutes, an Olympiakos attack resulted in a shot from Tiquinho, hitting the post and rebounding back into the path of Philip Zinckernagel who put Thrylos ahead. As the first half progressed, however, Pedro Martin's men started to sit back and protect their lead rather than searching for a second, giving Maccabi the opportunity to find some momentum.

Even when Olympiakos had possession they struggled to create much after the opening goal. Thankfully the defence for almost the whole game stood firm with Manolas and Cisse containing most of the home side's attack, Vrsaljko looking solid in his full debut for the club and Vaclik ever reliable in goal. This does not mean that the home side's attacks were completely quashed with two goals narrowly ruled out for offside throughout the match.      

As the second half reached its climax, Maccabi Haifa pilled on the pressure further and finally found an equaliser through the most unlikely of occurrences. With seconds left on the clock, the ball was poorly cleared from the Olympiakos box and with his back facing the goal, Dolev Haziza chipped a wonder goal over Vaclik to escape defeat in front of their home fans. 

Prediction 

To look at the positives of the first leg, as limited as they may be, this was the first time Olympiakos went to Israel and didn't lose. Getting a draw away, while not as valuable with no away goal rule, still gives Olympiakos the chance to finish the tie in the right way in front of what is hoped to be a sold-out Karaisakais stadium. What needs to improve, as many people have made clear for a long time with Thrylos, is attacking play. 

There was a worrying lack of chances created after the opening goal and especially in the second half and this cannot be the case in the second leg. The pressure is firmly on Pedro Martins and his team as failing to qualify for the Champions League for the second season in a row could lead to a lot of changes both in the team and in the coaching staff. What the Greek champions need to focus on is to win the game rather than trying not to lose, as obvious as that sounds. 

A more attacking formation is needed, the stadium needs to be packed and rocking to support their team. Olympiakos should win this game, not comfortably as Maccabi are a threat, but Thrylos still boast the better team on paper and the experience to get through having still not lost a match in the qualifiers under Pedro Martins. I will say that Thrylos in front of their home supporters win 1-0 and narrowly squeeze into the third round.