Real Madrid edged closer to the knockout phase of the Champions League after a goalless draw at Olympiakos.
Van Nistelrooy comes closest to breaking dour deadlock
Real Madrid edged closer to the knockout phase of the Champions League after a goalless draw at Olympiakos.
The Spanish giants remain three points clear at the top of Group C after missing the best of the few chances which were created.
Ruud van Nistelrooy squandered the best of them, opting to try and chip the advancing keeper Antonis Nikopolidis when the better option appeared to be to take the ball around him.
The Dutchman's shot came back off the crossbar, with the Olympiakos defence static after appealing in vain for offside.
The Greek side also had a lucky escape when Ieroklis Stoltidis deflected Wesley Sneijder's corner against his own post.
Creative force
Sneijder was the most influential creative force in the match, firing an early shot wide of the target before carving out an excellent chance for Robinho, whose low shot was pushed away by Nikopolidis.
Olympiakos threatened sporadically, notably when former Real defender Raul Bravo blasted a 35-yard shot narrowly wide.
And after Lomana LuaLua's shot was blocked in the penalty area, the dangerous Luciano Galletti was unable to control the loose ball.
Real took time to come to life in the second half, but as the home side tired they began to dominate more and more.
Coach Bernd Schuster was furious when van Nistelrooy attempted a backheel flick to Raul instead of shooting after accepting Sneijder's pass on the edge of the box.
Sneijder then exchanged passes with Raul before testing Nikopolidis with a 25-yard drive.
Then, in the final minute, the Dutch midfielder's corner was met by Sergio Ramos, who powered a header inches over the bar.
| Olympiakos |
Team Statistics |
Real Madrid |
|
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
|
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
|
| 1 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
|
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
7 |
|
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
1 |
|
| 2 |
Corners |
4 |
|
| 21 |
Fouls |
15 |
|
| 2 |
Offsides |
5 |
|
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
|
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
|
| 73.8 |
Passing Success |
83.1 |
|
| 27 |
Tackles |
19 |
|
| 63 |
Tackles Success |
63.2 |
|
| 32.5 |
Possession |
67.5 |
|
| 51.9 |
Territorial Advantage |
48.1 |
|
|
