Panathinaikos has kicked off the Rui Vitoria era with an important victory for their league campaign, while Greece’s top clubs all returned to winning ways after last round’s shock upsets.
The Greens defeated Volos 0-1 away on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s tenth round, earning an essential three points over a team that played half the game with only ten players on the field.
The “Trifylli” went ahead in the 14th minute in stylish fashion when Filip Djuricic being played through by left back Filip Mladenovic, with the playmaker striking the ball on the half volley into the top right corner off the post.
The game was complicated further for the Magnesia club when defender Pavlos Correa was sent off at the end of the first half for a last man foul on winger Tete (45+3′).
The Greens squandered a golden chance to confirm the three points when Fotis Ioannidis had his penalty saved by goalkeeper Daniel Kovacs (85′), though it ultimately made no difference on the outcome.
The result was important for Panathinaikos with the match being coach Rui Vitoria’s debut in his new post, though they will be keen to build on that moving forward (their immediate target now being their upcoming European clash against Djurgardens).
PAOK secured a 1-2 success against Lamia at “Athanasios Diakos” ground to remain just one point off first place.
The Fthiotida side managed to break through the visitors’ defence in the 33rd minute, thanks to winger Gustavo Furtado’s effort into the bottom left.
The Thessaloniki giants levelled it up in the 59th minute through a beautiful long-range goal from winger Andrija Zivkovic, who struck the ball sweetly into the top left corner (taking a slight deflection from the keeper’s hand as it bounced in off the crossbar).
The travellers then found the winner after striker Tarik Tissoudali headed the ball in from close range (75′).
AEK procured maximum points after downing Atromitos 0-1 away, thanks to striker Levi Garcia’s 45+1st minute goal which sealed their first league win in three games.
Aris earned themselves another week as league leaders after scoring a 3-1 win against Levadiakos at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground.
The Thessaloniki side took the ascendency in the clash just nine minutes in via a header from winger Shapi Suleymanov.
The “blue-greens” managed to bring it level on the half hour mark through striker Zini, though Aris midfielder Monchu was able to restore his side’s advantage minutes later (33′).
Chief marksman Loren Moron then put them two goals ahead after converting his penalty attempt (63′).
Olympiacos finally got back to winning ways after sealing a 2-1 home triumph over Panserraikos on Sunday morning, giving the “red-whites” their first league win since September.
The Piraeus giants went in front in the 12th minute following a strike by winger Kristoffer Velde, holding onto the lead until striker Juan Salazar found the back of the net in the second half (63′).
Olympiacos regained the advantage just three minutes later via striker Ayoub El Kaabi’s header off of right back Rodinei’s cross, with the goal proving to be the winner.
Kallithea played out a 1-1 stalemate at home against Panetolikos to remain winless this campaign.
The Agrinio outfit struck first after centre half Georgios Liavas scored from the penalty spot (19′), though it was soon cancelled out when Volos goalkeeper parried the ball into teammate Pedro Silva as it then inadvertently when into the goal (35′).
The result marks Kallithea’s sixth draw of the season, showing their ability to remain competitive, though they will be concerned about still being in last and their inability to turn these results into victories.
Asteras Tripolis will host OFI in the round’s remaining fixture on Tuesday morning.
Greek Super League Ladder (game in hand)
1-Aris: 21
2-PAOK: 20
3-AEK: 18
4-Olympiacos: 18
5-Panathinaikos: 16
6-Panetolikos: 15
7-OFI: 14 (9)
8-Asteras Tripolis: 13 (9)
9-Atromitos: 11
10-Panserraikos: 10
11-Volos: 10
12-Lamia: 7
13-Levadiakos: 6
14-Kallithea: 6
