Olympiakos gets better of ManU; Dortmund enjoys a thrashing away win

Manchester United’s poor run in the current season gets worsened as they get beaten 2-0 by Olympiakos in the first leg of the pre-quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League. On the other hand, last season runner-up Borussia Dortmund gets better of the Russian opponent Zenit St. Petersburg by a scoreline of 4-2.

Dortmund made an emphatic start to their knock-out games in their visit to North Russia as they opened the scoring as early as in the 4^th minute of the match. Marco Reus scored the goal in which the defenders played a major role as they were yet to sink in the electric atmosphere. Before they could settle down after the first goal Dortmund extended their lead, this time through Mkhitarayan. Zenit then played a chasing game for the rest of the match in the first half. In the second there was a spell of 14 minutes when both the teams scored twice. Oleg Shatov reduced the margin for the home team in the 57^th minute through a controversial goal only to see Robert Lewandowski restoring the 2-goal advantage in the 61^st minute. Hulk then scored the second for the Russians in the 67^th minute through a brilliantly taken penalty kick. But Lewandowski again scored in the 71^st minute to seal the 4-2 victory for the Germans. Dortmund having scored 4 away goals is almost sure of a place in the next round.

In a late evening start at the Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, Manchester United suffered from a poor defensive display to suffer yet another defeat in the season. The Greeks opened the scoring through Alejandro Dominguez in the 38^th minute. The home side doubled their lead in the 54^th minute of the match through Joel Campbell. Manchester United had a miserable day in the field as they got beaten for the first time in the Champions League this season. But United has still got a good chance of qualifying for the next round as they have the return leg still to come at Old Trafford. But having said that chances of ManU having an early exit can never ruled out, taking into consideration their lack of stability in their defense and unusually poor performances in the home matches this season.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.