Olof Mellberg and Enzo Maresca were on target for Olympiakos in its
2-1 home victory over AEK on Sunday in the Greek league playoffs.
With two games played in the four-team playoffs, Olympiakos
moved level on seven points with PAOK Thessaloniki, which beat
crosstown rival Aris 2-0 thanks to goals from Vladan Ivic and Mirko
Savini. Aris has three points and AEK has two.
The winner of the six-round playoffs will earn a place in the
third qualifying round of next season's Champions League, with the
other three teams going into the Europa League.
Based on the regular-season standings, Olympiakos started the
playoffs with four points, PAOK three, AEK one and Aris zero.
Olympiakos almost took the lead in the sixth minute when a
shot by Datolo hit the post before AEK goalkeeper Sebastian Saja
made a smart save to keep out a shot by Matt Derbyshire.
Mellberg put Olympiakos in front when he headed in a corner
by Datolo but AEK equalized in the 22nd minute, Djebbour silencing
30,000 Olympiakos supporters by converting a penalty.
But in the final minute of the first half, Raul Bravo's cross
found Maresca, who head the ball home for the winner.
On Wednesday, AEK hosts Aris and Olympiakos travels to PAOK.
