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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 27, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Olympiacos

2-1

Ibrahimovic (7'), Cavani (90')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Manolas (80')

Live Commentary: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Olympiacos - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live Champions League coverage as Paris Saint-Germain host Olympiacos in Group E.
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Paris Saint-Germain and Olympiacos faced off in the Champions League on Wednesday night at Parc des Princes with both sides having the the opportunity to book their place in the last 16 of the competition.

The Ligue 1 champions, who won the reverse fixture 4-1 in Athens, needed just a point to confirm their position as Group E winners, while the Greek Super League winners required a win to progress.

In a dramatic match, PSG snatched a late winner to advance into the next round of the tournament.

Read how the match unfolded in our live commentary below.


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Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League where Paris Saint-Germain host Olympiacos.

It's a huge game for both sides tonight as both can claim their spot in the last 16 of the competition. A draw would be good enough to send PSG through as Group E winners, but the Greek champions need a win in order to progress on the night.

PSG, who are yet to taste defeat in any competition this season, currently top the group with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.

Meanwhile, Olympiacos are second in Group E, three points behind their opponents tonight, and three ahead of third-placed Benfica. They have two wins, a draw and a 4-1 defeat to PSG to their name so far.

Before we get more into the background of this match, let's bring you the team news.

PSG XI: Sirigu, Van der Wiel, Silva, Alex, Maxwell, Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Lavezzi, Cavani, Ibrahimovic

So Laurent Blanc makes five changes to the team that won at Reims at the weekend.

Lucas Digne, Christophe Jallet, Lucas, Jeremy Menez and Adrien Rabiot all make way, with Gregory Van der Wiel, Maxwell, Blaise Matuidi, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani all come in.

Let's take a look at what Blanc has available on his substitutes bench.

PSG BENCH: Douchez, Marquinhos, Digne, Rabiot, Pastore, Menez, Lucas

So that's what the hosts have to offer, now let's take a look at the visitors.

OLYMPIACOS XI: Roberto, Maniatis, Holebas, Manolas, Leandro Silva, Bong, Samaris, David Fuster, Siovas, Campbell, Mitroglou

Michel has made six changes from their 4-1 win over Panthrakikos at the weekend.

Papadopoulos, Papazoglou, Ndinga, Weiss, Saviola and Dominguez have all been dropped for the starting lineup.

Maniatis, Holebas, Leandro Silva, Siovas Campbell and Mitroglou all come into the team.

Here is what they have on the bench.

OLYMPIACOS BENCH: Megyeri, Machado, Ndinga, Saviola, Papadopoulos, Dominguez, Weiss

So former Barcelona and Real Madrid Javier Saviola starts on the bench, along with ex-Rangers and Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss. Joel Campbell, who is on loan from Arsenal, starts in attack.

So they're the teams on display tonight, who will both be giving their all to book a spot in the next stage of the competition.

To current form, and PSG couldn't be doing much better at the moment. They haven't lost a game since March and remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this term. They sit top of Ligue 1, four points clear of second-placed Lille, and have won 10 of their 14 games in the division.

PSG go into this match of the back of consecutive wins in Ligue 1, but last time they played in Europe they were held to a surprise draw at Parc des Princes to Belgian outfit Anderlecht.

They would have sealed their place in the last 16 with a win that day, but will be able to do that today with just a point.

Their opponents tonight are in their best form of the season so far. After a slow start to the campaign, Olympiacos have recovered to really hit top gear. Since losing 4-1 in Athens to PSG in the reverse fixture back in September, Olympiacos have remained unbeaten in their 13 matches that followed that defeat, winning all but two of them.

Their win at the weekend moved them six points clear at the top of the Greek Super League table. This match really does pit two of Europe's in-form teams against one another in what is only their second-ever meeting in history.

Let's get the views from the two managers then ahead of this tie, which gets underway in around five minutes time.

Laurent Blanc: "I don't know if Olympiacos will play like they did in their home match against us, with a high defensive line and a lot of pressure on our midfielders – I doubt it.

"That caused us some problems, but whether they do or they don't, we still have to be better in technical terms. We have to expect teams to use those tactics, but it could be to our advantage as playing that way leaves some space at the back.

"We need to stop conceding so many goals. We always score some – well, almost always – but we need to be more solid in defence.

"Nerves? There's always nerves. It's part of the job, starting with the stress we put on ourselves. We know what we have to do. We have been on a good run so far, but we haven't earned our qualification yet. I said that before the match against Anderlecht, and people made fun of me saying I was always nervous, but the result unfortunately proved me right."


Michel: "We are very close to qualifying. We just need one more victory.

"We have two games left and we need to deliver.

"I think to have collected seven points in four games is good but we need to finish the job and qualify.

"Do we have to play much better to go further in the competition? Absolutely.

"However, from what I remember, we played a great game against PSG and despite this, we got nothing except a heavy loss."


It's going to really interesting battle in the attacking department tonight. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani form an all-star frontline for PSG, while Konstantinos Mitroglou, who has scored 17 goals in 15 games for the Greeks this season, will lead Olympiacos' attacking line.

The two teams are out, and we're ready to get underway here.

PSG are sporting their navy home kit with red and white squares on the shirts, while Olympiacos are in their first strip of vertically red and white-striped shirts with red shorts and socks.

KICK OFF! Olympiacos, playing from left to right, get the game underway.

Slow start at a very noisy Parc des Princes so far. Both teams are failing to keep possession.

The ball is chipped over the top to Mitroglou, who runs onto it by the byline, but slams his shot high over the bar from an acute angle on the left of the box.

GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Olympiacos (Zlatan Ibrahimovic)

Who else for PSG at the moment? Ibrahimovic gives PSG the lead after finding space in the space to tap in Van der Wiel's low cross into the box. First blood PSG.

The headlines for the goal will go to Ibrahimovic, but Van der Wiel deserves a lot of credit for the goal. He is getting better and better this season and has put in so many of those sorts of crosses to set up the big Swede.

Not a bad way for Ibrahimovic to celebrate making his 100th Champions League appearance. That's 18 goals in his 12 games combined for club and country. Incredible.

SAVE! Great stop from Sirigu to deny Mitroglou. Joel Campbell picks up the ball in the centre and floats it over the top to the left of the box where his strike partner meets it first time. However, Sirigu is equal to it and pushes past his near post.

PSG starting to take control in terms of possession now and are just passing it around at a leisurely pace. Olympiacos, despite falling behind, have been fairly decent so far, but they could do with pulling off something that quietens down this boisterous home crowd.

SCORE UPDATE: Anderlecht have just taken the lead against Benfica in Belgium, meaning that a draw here would send both teams through.

Lavezzi has a chance to get a shot away from the edge of the box, but gets too excited and slices his effort straight at Roberto.

PSG are completely in control at the moment. Matuidi, Motta and Verratti are running the show in the midfield.

Bong's shot is deflected off Cavani and Olympiacos have a corner.

They've had a couple of corners so far, but that was the most testing one from the Greeks so far. It causes a bit of a scramble and rickashays off a number of shins, but Matuidi can hack it away eventually.

SAVE! Another corner for Olympiacos. Mitroglou picks up the ball to the right of the box and has a low shot towards the near post, but Sirigu can again stick out a hand and push it past the post.

PSG easily deal with the corner, and can clear it downfield.

YELLOW CARD Marco Verratti picks up a silly caution for a blatant handball. He knows himself that it was a stupid thing to do.

Half an hour gone, and PSG firmly in control.

Nearly a chance for PSG. Matuidi slides a pass into Maxwell on the left of the penalty area, and the left-back cuts a ball back across the face of goal. However, none of his teammates are up with the play and the chance dies.

Worrying scenes for Olympiacos as Samaris appears to be struggling. He's walking feeling his thigh at the moment, but no change has been made yet.

SAVE! Not for the first time in this game, Mitroglou has brought a great stop out of Sirigu. The striker latches onto a smart through ball that splits the PSG defence and drives a fierce shot towards the near post, but the PSG keeper and quickly get down to block it with his feet.

Mitroglou is proving why he is such a threat to PSG. He's been on the end of everything good that Olympiacos have done so far tonight.

SCORE UPDATE Benfica have just levelled the score at Anderlecht.

SAVE! Now it's Roberto's time to shine in goal, as he stays on his line and pulls off a brilliant diving save to his right to deny Cavani's thunderous effort.

Ibrahimovic is enjoying himself out on the field tonight. He's all over the place, pulling wide and dropping deep to receive the ball and has just nearly set-up a teammate with a wonderful piece of trickery on the edge of the box; rolling the ball in between his legs and flicking it into the area.

Amazingly, PSG have had 71% in this first half, yet Olympiacos have created a fair few chances.



Last chance of the half for Olympiacos then, as they have a corner from the left.

It's punched away at the near post by Sirigu, and we'll have one minute of added time.

CHANCE! That will be it for the first half, as Lavezzi lets the ball bounce over his head and smashes it wide across goal from the left of the box.

HALF TIME: Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Olympiacos

There goes the half-time whistle, and it's been a decent first 45 minutes at the Parc des Princes. As things stand, PSG are heading through as Group E winners thanks to Ibrahimovic's opener.

Despite PSG's domination of possession, Olympiacos have had a number of chances to get back in the game, with Sirigu forced into top form on several occasions up against Mitroglou.

OLYMPIACOS CHANGE Vladimir Weiss, the former Manchester City and Rangers man is on.

KICK OFF! PSG get the half underway.

RED CARD! Marco Verratti has been sent off just 20 seconds into the second half! It's for a second yellow card after tugging back his man and taking him to ground in the centre of the field. Two very silly cautions, and Olympiacos have a real opportunity now.

Despite waving his arms in the face of the referee, Verratti isn't doing himself any favours and marches off.

YELLOW CARD Manolas picks up a caution for deliberately pushing Lavezzi in the back.

PSG CHANGE Lavezzi has been sacrificed following Verratti's red card and Rabiot is on to add balance to the midfield.

SAVE! Great stop from Roberto, as Ibrahimovic slams a viciously swerving free kick from 30 yards out, but the keeper can palm it over.

Real chance for the Greeks to get some more possession having been chasing shadows in the first half.

Blanc has opted for his team to only make a slight alteration to their formation since the sending off. Rabiot coming on means that PSG can keep their trio in midfield, while Ibrahimovic and Cavani play as a top two. There's basically no wingers for the hosts, although Maxwell and Van der Wiel need no invitation to bomb on.

Change on the way for Olympiacos.

OLYMPIACOS CHANGE Leandro Salino, the full-back, makes way, with Dominguez coming on up front.

SCORE UPDATE Benfica now lead Anderlecht thanks to Nicolas Gaitan.

Olympiacos are just hovering on the edge of the PSG box, but they can't find a way through at the moment.

PSG hit Olympiacos on the counter, and the ball ends up at the feet of Ibrahimovic. He takes a touch to kill it before swinging his foot through the ball, but he slices it over.

The game is so finely poised at the moment. PSG are trying to creep forward to put the match to bed, but Olympiacos are rapid on the break.

Spot of handbags here as PSG are unhappy that Olympiacos carried on playing when Motta was down, this resulted in Van der Wiel lunging in over his man. He could be in trouble.

YELLOW CARDS Van der Wiel goes into the book for that challenge on Weiss. Matuidi and Dominguez also pick up cautions for their part in the scrap.

The game is getting a bit heated, meaning that it's getting a bit scrappy, resulting in less chances.

YELLOW CARD Weiss now enters the referee's notebook for chopping down Motta.

Matuidi powers his way into the penalty area from the left, holding off two markers, before prodding his shot into the side-netting when off balance.

OLYMPIACOS CHANGE Javier Saviola is on to add to the Greek's attack, Joel Campbell heads off.

PSG CHANGE Laurent Blanc trying to consolidate his side's lead by taking off Ibrahimovic and bringing on Marquinhos.

GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Olympiacos (Kostas Manolas)

Olympiacos are level! Manolas gets his head to a corner which flicks off the foot of Dominguez and forces a fine stop from Sirigu. However, the ball bounces straight back to Manolas, who taps home the leveller.

What a finale we could have here. As things stand, PSG are still heading through as group winners, but if Olympiacos can find another, then they can guarantee their place in the last 16.

YELLOW CARD Maniatis goes into the book for a cynical trip on Motta.

PSG CHANGE Lucas comes on for the final few minutes in place of the brilliant Matuidi.

SCORE UPDATE Anderlecht and Benfica are level in Belgium. It's 2-2.

As things stand in both of these games, both PSG and Olympiacos are going through tonight. The Greek side would go through ahead of Benfica due to their head-to-head record.

YELLOW CARD Cavani is the latest to get cautioned for screaming in anger at the referee.

SCORE UPDATE Maybe it won't be Olympiacos' night. Benfica have just made it 3-2 over Anderlecht.

GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Olympiacos (Edinson Cavani)

What a horrible minute for Olympiacos. They were heading through a few minutes ago, but now they are behind here. Marquinhos slides in Cavani on the left of the box, and the striker just toe pokes the ball into the near corner under pressure from the defender.

Not sure how much added time has been signalled, but play continues.

Olympiacos are getting frustrated now as they go in search of a dramatic equaliser. Weiss loses the ball to Maxwell before flinging him to the ground.

FULL TIME: Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Olympiacos

There goes the full-time whistle. PSG are through to the knockout stages as winners of Group E, while Olympiacos' fate will be decided in the final game. It's them or Benfica to join PSG.

Benfica host PSG in two week's time while Olympiacos are at home to Anderlecht.

That's all from me tonight, I hope you've enjoyed the coverage. Until next time, it's good night from me.

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Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Lucas Moura is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the French Football match Reims vs Paris Saint-Germain, on November 23, 2013
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