Europa League: 10-Man Burnley Lose At Olympiacos

Premier League side Burnley have their work cut out ahead of their Europa League Playoff second leg clash with Greek giants Olympiacos at Turf Moor on Thursday following the 3-1 loss in the first leg.

Greek winger Kostantinos Fortounis gave the Olympiacos the lead on 19 minutes only for the hosts to be pegged back through a Chris Wood penalty in the 33rd minute as both teams went into the halftime interval on level terms.

Greek midfielder Andrea Bouchalakis edged the home side ahead again four minutes into the second half and the aforementioned Fortounis added a third goal from the penalty spot to complete his brace following English defender Ben Gibson’s foul in the box.

Gibson was also given his marching orders due to a second yellow card issued as a result of his foul in the lead up to the Fortounis spot kick.

Neither side added to their tally with Olympiacos now firmly in the driving seat ahead of the second leg next week.

In the pick of the other games, former winners Sevilla secured a 1-0 win in Czech Republic against home side Sigma Olomouc with Pablo Sarabia getting the crucial goal for the Spanish club.

Scottish Premier League champions Celtic were able to secure a 1-1 draw at Lithuanian side Suduva, while Zorya Luhansk of Ukraine and German Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig played out a goalless draw ahead of the second leg in Germany.

Atalanta and Danish side FC Copenhagen could only settle for a goalless draw in their first leg clash in Bergamo, Italy.

Gent FC of Belgium and managerless Bordeaux were not able to hit the target as both sides ended their Europa League Playoff first leg clash in a goalless draw.

Former French champions Bordeaux are hoping to appoint Arsenal legend and France World Cup winner Thierry Henry as replacement for suspended head coach Gus Poyet in the coming days.

Uruguayan tactician Poyet was suspended from his post after he criticised the club’s new American owners.