A headed goal from Vassilis Torosidis got Olympiacos off to a winning start in Champions League Group H on the night Zico was confirmed as the club's new coach.

The former Brazil star, who has also managed in Japan and Turkey, takes the reins at the Greek champions after leaving CSKA Moscow by mutual consent five days ago and succeeds Temuri Ketsbaia.

The Georgian was sacked on Tuesday with Bozidar Bandovic placed in temporary charge for the club's Champions League opener, which did not become even remotely close to entertaining until the final 10 minutes.

Chances were thin on the ground early on and AZ defender Niklas Moisander was on hand to make a vital clearance from Torosidis' cross from the right in the 14th minute with Brazilian forward Diogo lurking with intent just behind him.

It was a disjointed start from the hosts, perhaps to be expected following Ketsbaia's sudden exit, and AZ had plenty of possession.

Moussa Dembele created a rare opening for AZ after half-an-hour's play with a clever angled reverse pass but Australian midfielder Brett Holman, sprinting from right to left, miscued his first-time effort.

David Mendes da Silva was booked for a foul on Olympiacos full-back Raul Bravo in the 37th minute as the game remained a scrappy affair.

Diogo headed wide after Jaouad Zairi got the better of AZ left-back Sebastien Pocognoli and crossed well from the right as the first half ended goalless.

Zairi and Polish full-back Michal Zewlakow linked up well down the right but another of Olympiacos' Brazilian contingent, Dudu, skied his shot high into the stands 10 minutes into the second half.

Mendes da Silva was then afforded the space to shoot from 30 yards but it comfortably cleared the crossbar, before the game again lost any hint of spark.

Finally one of the goalkeepers was called into action with 20 minutes to go when Antonis Nikopolidis had to parry a low shot from distance by Holman.

The unlikely breakthrough came for the hosts when Zairi, who had been arguably their most impressive performer, provided a well-flighted cross for Torosidis to nod home from close range in the 79th minute for a lead they scarcely deserved.

The game suddenly came alive as first Cristian Ledesma pulled a shot wide for Olympiacos and then AZ substitute Jeremain Lens drew a smart save from Nikopolidis low down to his left.

But Torosidis' effort proved the only goal as Olympiacos took a step towards their goal of reaching the knockout phase of the competition.

Teams

Olympiacos Nikopolidis, Zewlakow, Avraam Papadopoulos,Mellberg, Raul Bravo, Torosidis (Oscar 85), Ledesma, Dudu,Zairi, Diogo (Mitroglou 74), Leonardo (Stoltidis 82).

Subs Not Used: Urko, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Galitsios, Pantos.

Goals: Torosidis 79.

AZ Romero, Jaliens, Moisander, Moreno, Pocognoli, Holman,Mendes Da Silva (Luyckx 71), Schaars, Martens (Lens 80),El Hamdaoui (Pelle 77), Dembele.

Subs Not Used: Didulica, Klavan, Poulsen, Swerts.

Booked: Mendes Da Silva, Schaars.

Att: 32,581

Ref: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).