By George Georgakopoulos

A poor all-around performance in Spain saw Olympiakos slump to a 3-0 defeat to Levante on Thursday for the first leg of the Round of 32 of the Europa League. The Greek champion has very few chances left for making the next round.

Greece’s sole remaining representative in European competitions this season will have a mountain to climb in the return leg in Piraeus, as its defense could not contain the Spanish attacks while its front line could do no better than hitting the woodwork twice in the game at Valencia.

Playing with 10 men from the 29th minute, when Djamel Abdoun received a harsh second yellow card for conceding a penalty that Obafemi Martins sent wide, Olympiakos could do no more than some damage limitation for most of the game, and should feel satisfied with the fact it only conceded three goals on the night, although it did deserve to score at least once.

Levante’s emphatic win came courtesy of goals by Pedro Rios in the 10th minute after toying with Jose Holebas, by Jose Javier Barkero half an hour later through a penalty conceded by Holebas, and by a Martins solo effort in the 58th.

Besides the missed penalty, Levante had more chances to add to its tally, with Olympiakos goalkeeper Balazs Megyeri denying the hosts on several occasions.

“I do not know what could be worse than tonight,” said a frustrated Michel, the Olympiakos coach, after the game.