Olympiacos too strong for Slovan

Olympiacos CFP overcame a spirited performance from ŠK Slovan Bratislava to record a second 2-0 victory against their visitors.

Passage secured
Goals in either half from Enzo Maresca and Diogo were enough to help the Greek champions banish memories of last season's defeat by Anorthosis Famagusta FC at this same stage of the competition. Slovan had their moments, notably in the first half, but will have to be content with a UEFA Europa League play-off round berth.

Maresca maiden effort
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Slovan took the game to their hosts in the opening stages and had a great chance to reduce the deficit when Juraj Halenár met captain Samuel Slovák's cross, but his header flew just the wrong side of the post. Olympiacos gradually gained a foothold in the match and started to threaten down the flanks through Jaouad Zairi and Luciano Galletti. It was from one of these moves that the opening goal came, Maresca nodding in Zairi's centre in the 35th minute for his first competitive goal in an Olympiacos shirt.

Diogo header
Slovan continued to push forward and Antonis Nikopolidis was forced into a fine save on the stroke of half-time when Mario Božić let fly from distance. Brazilian striker Diogo was introduced after the break and he struck the second in the 56th minute. In a carbon copy of the Marseca's opener, the hosts counterattacked before Galletti crossed from the left and Diogo found the net with a diving header. Slovan did not let their heads drop, though, and came close to a consolation goal midway through the second period, but Ján Kozák's shot flew just wide.