Conference League

Conference League semi-finals – LIVE from 9pm

Cheers from the Olympiakos players(Bild: AFP)

Olympiakos Piraeus have taken a big step closer to reaching the Conference League final! The Red & Whites surprisingly won 4:2 (2:1) at English representative Aston Villa and now have an advantage in the second leg in a week's time. Everything is still wide open in the second semi-final. Last year's finalists AC Fiorentina won 3:2 (2:1) at home against FC Brugge after being outnumbered in the final. 

Ayoub El Kaabi, who scored three goals, played a huge part in Olympiakos' success. At Villa Park in Birmingham, the Moroccan put his team ahead in the 17th minute to the horror of the home fans and added to his tally in the 30th minute. Ollie Watkins (45.+1) restored hope in the meantime, which Moussa Diaby (52) confirmed with his 2:2 shortly after the restart. However, thanks to a penalty converted by El Kaabi (56') and a goal from Argentinian Santiago Hezze (67'), the visitors took the win.

Fiorentina win late on, but deservedly so
Fiorentina took the lead in the 5th minute with a remarkable long-range shot from Riccardo Sottil on the first notable attack. A handball in the penalty area by captain Cristiano Biraghi led to a penalty less than ten minutes later after VAR intervention and the Belgians equalized through Hans Vanaken (17'). It was Andrea Belotti (37) who put the home team back in front shortly before the break. Soon after the break, Brugge's Raphaël Onyedika picked up two yellow cards in the space of two minutes and had to leave the pitch, but his team managed to equalize again shortly afterwards through Igor Thiago (63'). However, M'Bala Nzola scored the winner for the Florentines in the 91st minute.

The second leg will take place next Wednesday, May 8, in Bruges. Olympiakos and Aston Villa will meet again on May 9.