The “Trifylli” has delivered one of their most important results of the season thus far as they hung on to earn a hard-fought victory against AEK, seizing second spot and preserving the four-point gap between themselves and Olympiacos.
Panathinaikos sealed a 1-0 win over Enosi at the Olympic Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 19th round, with the Greens keeping their Athenian rivals, who dominated most of the clash, at bay.
AEK was in control for large parts of the opening half, but it was the Greens who found the breakthrough, thanks to captain Fotis Ioannidis’ successful penalty attempt into the bottom left (38′).
The second half went much like the first with the visitors failing to penetrate Panathinaikos’ defence as they managed to get the ball in the back of the net again through Ioannidis, with the key difference being that the goal was cancelled out this time following a VAR check.
The “Trifylli” wrapped up the points in a pivotal result that ensures they have lost no ground on league leaders Olympiacos, whom they will face next round.
PAOK and Aris played out a goalless stalemate at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground in a disappointing outcome for both teams, particularly for the “white-blacks” who now sit nine points adrift of first place.
Olympiacos earned themselves a crucial 1-2 away triumph over Atromitos, with the chief protagonist being goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis as he produced a match-winning last-minute penalty save.
The Piraeus giants got off to a strong start with centre half Panagiotis Retsos scoring a corner header (18′) before striker Ayoub El Kaaabi doubled their lead five minutes later with his own header off an excellent cross by wing back Costinha.
The Peristeriotes managed to grab a goal back in the 37th minute from a corner kick wherein midfielder Athanasios Karamanis headed the ball onto Costinha, which then deflected into the net.
The hosts had the perfect opportunity to bring it level when they earned a penalty in injury time, though it ultimately was squandered as striker Tom Van Weert’s effort was saved by Tzolakis in the bottom right (90+7′) to ensure the win for the “red-whites”.
Panetolikos has greatly boosted their chances of finishing in the fifth to eighth play-offs round after beating OFI 1-0 at home, courtesy of a 25th minute header by striker Andrija Majdevac.
A late winner helped Asteras Tripolis secure a 1-2 away success against Levadiakos, extending their winning streak to four games in the process.
The “blue-greens” broke through first in the 35th minute, thanks to striker Zini, and they managed to hold onto the lead until the Arcadians equalised in the 76th minute when winger Nikolaos Kaltsas hit the ball into the back of the net from distance.
The visitors were given a golden chance to earn all three points when they were awarded a penalty in injury time, with marksman Federico Macheda stepping up and depositing into the goal.
A strong second half steered Kallithea to a 2-0 home victory against Volos on Sunday morning to deliver a much-needed boost to their survival chances.
The Athenian side broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute of the contest after the ball fell to winger Pyry Soiri, who then guided it into the bottom left corner.
Kallithea then guaranteed the result at the death through forward Demethryus (90+4′), their second win in their last three outings which has taken them to just three points away from 12th spot (the lowest place you can be and still avoid relegation).
Panserraikos takes on Lamia at home in the round’s final clash on Tuesday morning.
Greek Super League Ladder (games in hand)
1-Olympiacos: 43
2-Panathinaikos: 39
3-AEK: 37
4-PAOK: 34
5-Asteras Tripolis: 28
6-Aris: 28
7-Panetolikos: 26
8-OFI: 24
9-Atromitos: 22
10-Volos: 20
11-Levadiakos: 18
12-Panserraikos: 18 (18)
13-Kallithea: 15
14-Lamia: 9 (18)
