BRAVE BURNLEY GO OUT SWINGING
THE journey is over and only actually lasted 35 days, but Burnley exited the Europa League swinging.
Last night was a blur of wasted opportunities and near misses, angst and anxiousness as the dream of heading for the likes of AC Milan, Villarreal or Marseille in the group stages dissipated.
Yet it was also a night that should act as a fillip, by far the most engaging Burnley have been during a torturous start to this season. How they only drew the second leg — debutant Matej Vydra cancelling out Daniel Podence’s 83rd-minute opener — is anyone’s guess.
Jose Mourinho, sporting a cap while sitting with the scouts at Turf Moor in a bid to avoid detection, has plenty to think about. Play like this on Sunday and Burnley might just give Manchester United a fright.
It is what we have come to expect from a Sean Dyche team. Effort and desire were unquestioned, they just lacked the guile to force an opener and Olympiacos held on to bring an end to Burnley’s first European campaign in 51 years. The home side somehow went in at half time having failed to score. Sam Vokes was the chief culprit, twice missing huge opportunities, heading wide and then over.
Dwight McNeil’s exquisite delivery carved both out, the 18-year-old providing a real spark from the left on his full professional debut.
What an occasion for Dyche to throw McNeil in. He could become the first academy product since Jay Rodriguez to impose himself on the first team. It is only a month since the winger was made to park at a local Tesco when on the bench against Aberdeen because his name had been overlooked on the players’ car park list. This has been a rapid rise. He was effective, particularly when drifting from wide areas, and Jeff Hendrick also saw a half-volley blocked from his corner.
Ashley Barnes could only stab wide from a Vokes centre in a fraught first half.
Olympiacos had their chances on the break when the hosts over-committed or were loose in possession.
Daniel Podence did not test Tom Heaton with any of his three chances, while Miguel Guerrero struck straight at the goalkeeper.
The home side had under-hit at least five passes in the opening few minutes, owing to a nervousness and a desire to move the ball with too much precision.
Olympiacos had won only once in 13 in England and were certainly there for the taking.
Andreas Gianniotis had to palm McNeil’s venomous effort over and scrambles in the box ensued as a result of quick thinking in midfield.
There was an energy to Burnley which we haven’t really witnessed consistently