Greece: Valbuena's Olympiakos get closer to the title by going to beat their dolphin - France 24

Athens (AFP)

Olympiakos won a precious victory in their quest for a new title of champion of Greece by winning 1-0 on the lawn of their dolphin and great rival, PAOK Salonika, on Sunday, on the 1st day of play-offs after a three-month hiatus due to coronavirus.

The French Piraeus club Mathieu Valbuena, author of a new decisive pass, now has 17 points ahead of the classification over its opponent of the day, in this final phase in which the first six teams of the regular season take part , who keep the points acquired during the first part of the season.

With this success with the outgoing champion, after a meeting played behind closed doors, the Olympiakos are approaching a 45th national title, three years after their last coronation.

At the end of three months of forced cut-off, the Greek championship therefore resumed this weekend with the 1st day of a final phase comprising two mini-championships, one for the title (six teams), the other for the relegation (eight teams).

Under the Thessaloniki sun and the gaze of some supporters installed on the surrounding terraces, instructions from the coaches and complaints to the referee resounded in the empty stands of the Toumba, usually one of the noisiest stadiums on the continent.

As provided by the regulations, a short break was held in the middle of each half to rest players short of rhythm. Each team made the five changes authorized for the resumption of competitions after the interruption related to Covid-19.

In the tenth minute, a first goal from Youssef El Arabi was refused after intervention by VAR for offside, a first in the Greek championship. But the Olympiakos striker did it again in the 23rd minute on a Mathieu Valbuena cross.

The former Caennais scored his eighteenth goal of the season, consolidating his place as the top scorer in the championship. With this twelfth decisive pass of the season, the French international - who extended his contract with the Olympiakos until 2021 - leads the best passer in the Super League.

The two rival clubs will meet again twice before the end of the season. June 24 for the return leg of the Greek Cup semi-finals (PAOK home win 3-2 first leg) and in July for the return leg of the championship play-off.

© 2020 AFP