Antwerp waves goodbye to Europe with a win in the group stage | UEFA Europa League 2021/2022
Antwerp has given the sad European season some more color with an ultimate victory against Olympiakos. Balikwisha scored the only goal of the match early on. Antwerp already knew before the match that it was eliminated.
Antwerp – Olympiacos in a nutshell:
- Key moment: After only 7 minutes, Balikwisha Antwerp already brings movements with a delicious curl. A fast one – thanks in part to a slack Olympia.
- Man of the Match: Although Olympiakos goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik has protected his rights several times, we still choose a player from the winning side. Michel Ange Balikwisha set off the Greek alarm bells several times by his swinging and goals also targeted his first goals in Antwerp.
- remarkable: Of the last five visits Olympiakos made to our country, the Greek record champion could barely win. Our Belgian country is therefore far from a dream destination for the Greeks.
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Balikwisha shows Antwerp the way with brushstroke
Although nothing was at stake for Antwerp tonight, The Great Old still wanted to end his European adventure with a victory. Without strong holders Nainggolan, Frey and Samatta, the home team started the game energetically.
Record purchase Balikwisha cut in from his left flank and curled the opening goal through Cisse wonderfully past Vaclik. His first goal in the Antwerp payroll was a performance that could count.
Olympiakos still had a chance of a group win, but it was Antwerp that completely took care of the opening phase. Gerkens cleverly deflected a corner at the near post, but hit Vaclik’s fists.
The Greeks were gasping for breath and not much later are happy that goalkeeper Vaclik, if everything went according to plan. After a smooth combination of luck at Benson, who saw the 2-0 explode due to a clever foot reflex.
Balikwisha paints beautiful Antwerp at 1-0
The Great Old European campaign on a positive note
The visitors started the 2nd half with 3 pairs of fresh legs, but there was no sign of improvement. On the hour, the Greeks may even once again thank Vaclik for knocking Balikwisha’s attempt from his short corner.
Olympiakos did not make a dent in a pack of butter, but the home team refused to kill the game completely. Benson has seen á la Robben first the first post, later substitute Yusuf shortly before the end of the short term. Twice, Vaclik refused to turn.
With time in sight, the European specter of Antwerp once again loomed for a while. But a late goal was not scored for the home side this time.
With the 1-0 win, Antwerp still closes its European campaign on a nice note. Although with 5 points and a last place there will be much more for Brian Priske’s men.
De Laet: “Glad we still have a win”
Brian Priske: “I thought it was a very good game from our side, both offensively and defensively. The win was important today and it was deserved.”
“I am very satisfied with my players. We knew we were in a difficult group, but in retrospect, there was more to it. Now we just have to put everything on the competition.”
Ritchie deLaet: This is a well deserved win, actually one that we need to book in the Europa League. compete at the top.”
“There were also some new names on the pitch today and they also showed today that they might well deserve to play over the weekend. We failed to be eliminated, but I’m glad we still have our campaign with a victory concluded.”
Priske: “We didn’t always get what we deserved”
De Laet: “A victory we already had”