AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Olympiacos: Greeks Inch Closer To Knockout Stages

After the break, the Dutch side pushed harder than ever to break the deadlock. Jeremain Lens looked like he was through two minutes into the second half, but the assistant made one of many poor decisions in ruling him offside after a beautiful long-ball from Pocognoli.

Dembele, Mendes da Silva, Brett Holman and Lens again all had great opportunities to put the hosts in the lead, but no-one seemed to have that important piece of composure that would give their side the advantage.

AZ persisted despite continually shooting wayward, and were almost rewarded for their efforts. A poked shot from Holman would have been in the back of the net if not for a last minute deflection but, again, there was just no way through for the home side.

Possession began to split between the teams, both sides unable to hold onto the ball for any prolonged period of time as the game wore on. Dudu enjoyed a strike from range, while Leonardo, who had been poor all match, almost snatched a goal for the visitors. In the end though, the Greeks were always just as toothless as their hosts.

The game was summed up right at the end as Lens sailed in a beautiful cross for substitute strikers Graziano Pelle and Ari. Neither of the forwards could do anything with the cross, eventually leading to Nikopolidis watching as the ball went out of play.

It was a morbid affair, and perhaps AZ should have scored for all their possession. However, it's goals that count, and the hosts couldn't produce them. So, at full-time, Olympiacos progressed to the final 16, while AZ must battle Standard Liege for a spot in the Europa League.

Stephen Crawford, Goal.com

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