Both Panathinaikos and AEK earned themselves strong victories over Atromitos and Panetolikos respectively in their round one catch-up fixtures, bringing a successful conclusion to a hectic 18-day period wherein they each played six times.
The “Trifylli” sealed a 5-0 triumph against the Peristeriotes on Monday morning (AEDT) to move into second place, three points behind Olympiacos (their next league opponents).
The Greens opened the scoring only three minutes in after left back Filip Mladenovic crossed the ball in for fellow countryman Filip Djuricic to head into the right side of the net.
Winger Sebastian Palacios soon made it two after being released down the right by Djuricic, with the Argentinean releasing a fantastic strike from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner (33′).
Palacios was a key figure in the third as, upon VAR inspection, he won a penalty late into the first half after being taken down by centre back Lucas Acevedo, who was sent off as a result (45′).
Striker Andraz Sporar stepped up to the spot and hit it into the left side of the net (45+1′).
The loudest cheer of the match came in the 57th minute when midfielder Zeca was subbed in for his first official appearance since returning to the club, and he was immediately given the captain’s armband by centre half Bart Schenkeveld.
The cheers kept coming as Panathinaikos found their fourth two minutes later when a bad pass backwards afforded Djuricic the chance for his second goal, the midfielder’s shot deflecting off a defender, back onto him before landing in the net.
Things turned slightly sour for the Greens’ night when Zeca earned himself a red card for a bad challenge (85′), but they ended it on a positive note with one final goal, this time from substitute Alexander Jeremejeff who latched onto a Palacios header to tap the ball in for his second in as many league matches.
AEK downed Panetolikos 3-0 in the earlier clash, though they will be even more pleased with earning their first clean sheet in thirteen games.
Enosi broke through the Agrinio side’s defence in the 34th minute, thanks to a corner header from centre half Domagoj Vida (his second in as many games).
The hosts doubled their lead only two minutes later through another defender, this time via right back Lazaros Rota who added the finishing touches after a strong bit of team play.
Centre back Harold Moukoudi polished off an excellent display from AEK’s defence with a final goal, scoring from close range following a corner delivery (89′).
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 19
2-Panathinaikos: 16
3-PAOK: 14
4-AEK: 14
5-OFI: 12
6-Panserraikos: 9 (6)
7-Lamia: 9
8-Aris: 8
9-Asteras Tripolis: 8
10-Kifisia: 6
11-PAS Giannina: 5
12-Atromitos: 3
13-Panetolikos: 3
14-Volos: 2 (6)
