SPORTS

Sorry end to a sorry Champions League campaign for Olympiakos

Sorry end to a sorry Champions League campaign for Olympiakos

Olympiakos finished its Champions League group rock bottom with just one point after suffering its fifth defeat in six games, going down 2-0 at home to Juventus on Tuesday.

In a match that was a mere formality for Olympiakos, as it had already been eliminated from its loss at Sporting Lisbon two weeks earlier, its players produced little to cheer their fans up and offer Greece some much needed points in the UEFA rankings.

The match was decided from the 15th minute when Blaise Matuidi picked Alex Sandro and his cross from the left was turned in by Juan Cuadrado from close range.

Juventus rested on its lead that would see it through to the knockout stages and despite the possession it enjoyed it showed little interest in adding to its tally, while Olympiakos chose a passive stance, at least up to the hour mark.

The only time Olympiakos got close to a goal was eight minutes from the end when substitute Ben Mohamed struck the woodwork as he headed a Leonardo Koutris cross from the left.

This appeared to wake up Juventus, that scored its second goal through substitute Federico Bernardeschi one minute from time.

Before the game Olympiakos honored Italy and Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Outside the stadium there were clashes between Olympiakos fans and the police prior to the match, as home supporters tried to approach the Juventus fans.

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