Panathinaikos youngsters continue to impress as AEK claim second straight win

Giorgos Donis’ men swept past Lamia 3-1 and the Champions got a crucial 0-1 result in Tripoli against Asteras

Panathinaikos continue to impress in these opening days of the Greek Super League (Photo: EPA/SPYROS CHORCHOUBAS)

2 September 2018 2:27pm

Despite all the financial issues that lead them to begin their campaign with -6 points, Panathinaikos is starting to give hopes to the team’s fans with the way they play and the results they’re getting. After last week’s 0-1 victory in Xanthi, this time they easily overcame the obstacle of Lamia at the Olympic Stadium, 3-1.

The “greens” maintained possession, created a lot of chances and are seeing a star on the rise as 19-year-old Mpouzoukis seems to be a dominant figure within the team. It was him who scored the only goal in Xanthi last week and it was him again who got his name on the score sheet first, just 15 minutes into the game, when he attempted the long shot from outside the area.

Panathinaikos continued putting the pressure on Lamia, which seemed unable to respond, however a desperation cross from the right landed on Adedjo’s head, allowing him to score a lucky equaliser for his team in one of their few opportunities in the game. The home team kept their focus despite this and they were rewarded late in the game (70′) through substitute Emmanouilidis. They got a third from Kourbelis two minutes before the 90′.

AEK is also having a great start to the season apart from their success on the European front, as they got their second straight win in the league in Tripoli’s difficult ground. Asteras is known to give trouble against most of the high-profile teams, so escaping with the three points will be very important for Marinos Ouzounidis’ men looking towards the rest of the season.

AEK put the pressure on Asteras from early on, showing their intentions not to let the three points go. They were awarded with a penalty on the 33rd minute, when skipper Mantalos was brought down in the box by Kotsiras. The captain took the kick upon himself, sending keeper Papadopoulos in the wrong direction and giving his team the lead.

Asteras never really showed that they could do much to threaten AEK. In fact, despite their early lead, it was the champions that maintained possession and had opportunities for a second. On the 64th, Mantalos sent the corner kick to the head of Lambropoulos, who rose above his markers, however his attempt stopped against the bar. The only real chance Asteras had came right at the end, when a shot from out right by Manias was denied by the bar of Barkas’ goal. With this result, AEK continues being on top of the Super League ladder with six points.

Results:

Panathinaikos – Lamia 3-1 (15′ Mpozoukis, 70′ Emmanouilidis, 88′ Kourbelis / 36′ Adedjo)
Asteras Tripolis – AEK 0-1 (33′ pen. Mantalos)
Atromitos – Xanthi 0-0

Sunday 02 September