Without Martinez, Aston Villa in the first semi-final against Olympiacos
A few hours ago, Olympiacos made history, as it eliminated Fenerbahce in the penalty shootout and went to the semi-finals of a European club competition for the first time in its history. In the “4” of the Europa Conference League, the “reds” will face Aston Villa.
Martinez in England’s first match against Olympiacos
The English team, in the first match that will take place in England on Maundy Thursday 2 May (22:00) will line up without its main goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez.
The experienced goalkeeper did something unprecedented in the rematch with Lille for the Conference League quarter-finals, after being shown two yellow cards without being sent off due to a bizarre UEFA regulation. In particular, Martinez saw the first yellow in the regular season and the second in the penalty shootout, but was not sent off.
UEFA’s special rule, which states that if a player receives a yellow card in regular time or extra time of a match, then it is reset in the penalty shootout. The Argentine, however, with the two yellows he saw reached the limit and thus will be absent from Aston Villa’s home match against Olympiacos. His place under the rafters will be taken by former PAOK goalkeeper Robin Olsen.