Olympiacos FC are within touching distance of a UEFA Champions League quarter-final place for the first time in 15 years after sailing to a comfortable 2-0 victory against Manchester United FC in Piraeus.
Alejandro Domínguez gave the hosts a deserved lead seven minutes before half-time with a clever flick to divert Giannis Maniatis's shot past the wrong-footed David de Gea. Joel Campbell, on loan from Arsenal FC, doubled the advantage ten minutes after the restart and United never looked like getting back into it. The English champions will need to improve drastically to turn this tie around on 19 March at Old Trafford.
With Kostas Mitroglou joining Fulham FC on 31 January, Olympiacos no longer possess an attacking reference point in the opposition area. Coach Míchel turned that to his side's advantage, encouraging his forward players to drive at United and try their luck from range. It soon appeared an astute approach.
Inside eight minutes Domínguez surged into the box and, with United backing off, the Argentinian playmaker seemed certain to score – only for Nemanja Vidić to come in with an excellent tackle. Hernán Peréz also went for a solo run in the 26th minute, cutting inside from the left and firing a low shot that flew wide of the near post.
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