A solitary goal from Jaouad Zairi gave Olympiacos CFP a 1-0 win in their home fixture against Panionios GSS at the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Moroccan struck early in the first-half to give the Greek titleholders an early lead over their guests, but the theme of the night was a wasteful trend in front of goal; a pattern that will have to be purged ahead of the resumption of their UEFA Champions League schedule against Arsenal on Tuesday.
After their home-opener was spoiled by a poor performance in front of goal, Olympiacos was keen to have a proactive eye in front of the Panionios net; however, it was their counterparts who had the first chance of the match.
It was Cypriot midfielder Markos Nikolaou who tested Olympiacos 'keeper Antonis Nikopolidis from some distance, but the former Greece international ultimately parried the effort.
The match quickly transitioned to the other end, and on eight minutes Olympiacos had their first chance of the match. A free-kick for the hosts saw a taskforce of three Brazilians - Dudu, Diogo, and Leonardo - with the latter ultimately firing a one-time effort from just outside the box. A whistling shot from Leonardo saw Tomas Belic concede a big rebound before the Panionios defense scrambled to clear for a corner.
A couple minutes later, and the theme of Brazilian flare continue for Olympiacos. Diogo fed Dudu with a through pass into the Panionios box, but the former CSKA Moscow man was unable to find a finish past a sprawled Belic.
Dudu had another chance on sixteen minutes; this time, however, it was an aerial effort that was sent just wide of the goal after a pinpoint cross from Leonardo.
The Olympiacos bench was growing anxious after several misses, but on seventeen minutes they were given reason to celebrate. Diogo worked down the left flank before providing an elusive pass into the Panionios box which fell perfectly for Jaouad Zairi. The Moroccan midfielder pounced on the pass and made no mistake with his execution to give the hosts a 1-0 lead with his first goal of the season.
Panionios, who were quiet offensively for some time, looked to peg back a leveller but Sito Riera's effort on twenty minutes was sent just wide of the Olympiacos net.
With a lion's share of possession, a second goal for Olympiacos looked imminent but their best chance to extend their lead was wasted when Zairi's cross was headed just over the bar by Vasilis Torosidis.
The advantage, however, remained at one-goal as the first half came to an end with Zairi's marker the only etch on the scoreboard.
Panionios looked to change that in the second and Croatian striker Bosko Balaban nearly did just that when he released a free-kick on Nikopolidis, but the Olympiacos custodian was quick to make a save.
With a potent Panionios attack looking to spring a surprise, Olympiacos were keen on padding their lead and Diogo nearly did when he fired his shot just inches wide of the Panionios net just before the hour mark.
A string of injuries for the visitors posed a problem, the Panionios defense looking inferior to the match's staggering physicality. Inspiration, however, began to creep in for the Nea Smyrni-based side as Balaban appeared to be a one-man show with a series of efforts forcing corner-kicks for the Kyanerythri - all of them, however, were of no avail.
Olympiacos resumed its attack on seventy minutes, but again the chance to reinforce their lead was wasted as Dudu shot just over Belic's goal.
Opportunities continued to go to a waste, with Leonardo the next to do so when his left-footed strike went way wide of the goal despite escaping his marker.
At the other end, however, Balaban continued to pose a problem for the Piraeus giants; the Croatian's corner-kicks inching closer and closer to rounding Nikopolidis' near post.
As the final whistle loomed over the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium, the match was now at walking pace. Olympiacos had a prime chance to make the win slightly better with a free-kick for the Erythrolefki just before stoppage time, but Dudu'a effort was parried by Belic.
Panionios, however, were keen to formulate a counter-attack and their best chance to do so was formulated through a fast-break featuring Bernard Kummordzi and Balaban, with the latter ultimately having a crack at goal but again being denied by Nikopolidis to ensure a win for the home crowd.
A critical encounter in the UEFA Champions League is the next task for Olympiacos as Arsenal FC host the Greek Champions in London on Wednesday night; while Panionios are off until next Monday (5 October) when they host Atromitos FC at Nea Smyrni.
