It was a disappointing European outing for AEK, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos as each side saw their hopes of progressing in the Europa League go down the drain, with the “Trifylli” nearly overturning a three-goal deficit to earn a famous draw in Spain.
The one bright light was PAOK’s successful trip to Frankfurt in the Europa Conference League (ECL) wherein their victory saw them wrap up first place in their group.
The Greens ultimately lost 3-2 away to Villareal in the fifth matchday of the Europa League on Friday morning (AEDT), officially eliminating them from the competition.
The Spanish side took the lead 29 minutes in when midfielder Alex Baena was played through into the box and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli, with teammate Santi Comesana then making it two with a long-range strike into the left side of the goal (34′).
The Greens were left to rue a huge mistake at the back by defender Willian Arao two minutes into the second half, which saw Villareal regain the ball and allow forward Jose Luis Morales to guide it into the bottom left (47′).
Panathinaikos got one back in the 66th minute after winger Sebastian Palacios knocked the ball in following striker Fotis Ioannidis’ penalty that came off the left post.
Ioannidis then managed to grab a goal of his own, pouncing on a long ball from midfielder Tonny Vilhena to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Pepe Reina before knocking it past him (81′).
The surprising comeback ended the match on a positive note for the Greens despite the result keeping them in third place with four points and now mathematically unable to advance in the Europa League.
Their sights are now firmly set on ensuring third position to qualify for the next stage of the Conference League.
AEK also suffered a narrow defeat, losing 0-1 to Brighton at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Friday morning (AEDT) to also end their dreams of advancing in the Europa League.
Enosi created chances throughout the game, though were unable to convert them, and the English side eventually capitalised in the 55th minute when striker Joao Pedro buried his penalty into the bottom right.
AEK finished the contest with only ten players on the field due to winger Mijat Gacinovic being booked for the second time in the 65th minute.
The result leaves AEK on four points in third place, with their target now being to ensure Ajax does not beat them in the remaining fixture so they can qualify for the Conference League.
Olympiacos had the worst night of any Hellenic side, suffering a 5-0 away loss to Freiburg which also ended their chances of advancing in the tournament.
The Germans sailed to a three-nil lead, thanks to a first half hat-trick from striker Michael Gregoritsch that consisted of a grounded finish into the bottom left (3′), a corner header (8′) and then another header from a cross (36′).
They closed the first period with a fourth, this time from advancing defender Kiliann Sildillia whose shot smashed through goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis (42′).
Winger Ritsu Doan added in one final goal for Freiburg, knocking the ball into the left side of the net to seal a five-star performance for the hosts.
Aris Limassol earned an impressive 1-1 away draw with Rangers FC to keep their hopes of finishing third in their group alive.
The Cypriot club scored first via a quick counter-attack that saw striker Shavy Warren Babicka take the ball around the keeper and knock the ball into an empty net (28′).
The Scottish giants drew level through substitute forward Ross McCausland’s strike which came in off the left post (49′), the final decisive moment of the match.
Aris Limassol (now eliminaited from the Europa League) will head into the final matchday clash against Sparta Praha seeking a win to claim third spot and thus qualification to the next round of the Conference League.
PAOK secured an impressive 1-2 away success against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Conference League to go to 13 points, officially ensuring first place as a result to book their place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
The Thessaloniki outfit went ahead following a corner set piece wherein some miscommunication from the German club’s defenders allowed Tomasz Kedziora to hit the ball into the goal (55′).
Frankfurt brought it back on level terms just three minutes later, thanks to a solid header from a cross by striker Omar Marmoush, though PAOK would eventually restore their lead after winger Andrija Zivkovic pounced on a parried save by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp for a close-range finish (73′).
The “black-whites”, who have easily been the best performing Hellenic side in Europe, now have earned qualification to the Round of 16 of the ECL.
