AEK have pulled off a near-perfect weekend after sealing a hard-fought win over rivals PAOK at their fortress, capitalising on Panathinaikos’ disappointing draw with Volos as the complexion of the league continues to switch on a weekly basis.
Enosi secured a 0-1 victory in the Double-headed eagle derby at “Toumba” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the second round of the Greek Super League’s play-offs, moving equal on points with the “Trifylli”.
AEK’s two leaders Sergio Araujo and Petros Mantalos stepped up late to break the deadlock, with Mantalos lobbing the ball expertly for Araujo who subsequently controlled it with his chest before guiding it into the bottom left on the volley (80′).
Panathinaikos was left to rue a late missed penalty from striker Andraz Sporar as they recorded a scoreless stalemate with Volos at “Leoforos” Stadium, slipping first in the epic race for the championship.
The Greens struggled against the dogged defence of the Magnesia outfit, but their hopes lifted when they were awarded an injury-time spot kick for a handball.
The pressure proved too great for Sporar as goalkeeper Boris Klaiman guessed correctly, diving strongly to his right to save the ball and earn his side a point.
It is a major blow for Panathinaikos’s premiership dreams, and they will have to muster up tremendous strength to ensure this does not cost them in the end.
Aris battled their way to a comeback 2-2 away draw with Olympiacos at “Karaiskakis” ground.
The Piraeus giants took the lead 36 minutes in when midfielder In-beom Hwang cleverly drilled a grounded long shot into the bottom left, with captain Sokratis Papastathopoulos then making it two with a corner header off the right post (52′).
The “yellow-blacks” got back into the game, thanks to some individual brilliance from winger Juan Iturbe who dispossessed centre back Panagiotis Retsos, dribbled past goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis and then finished the ball into the bottom right (70′).
Aris piled on the pressure and eventually got their rewards as substitute Rafael Camacho finished from close range to rescue a point for his club (81′).
Lamia sealed a fantastic 1-3 away triumph over Panetolikos on Sunday morning in the second round of the relegation play-outs, earning back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign.
The Agrinio struck first in the 55th minute after right back Georgios Liavas’ effort took a major deflection off a defender to hit the back of the net.
The Fthiotida side brought it level through a well-guided header from striker Jeison Medina (66′) before taking the lead outright one minute later via a half-volley finish from winger Ruben Martinez.
Martinez later bagged a brace with a late one-on-one chance, burying it into the bottom right to put the game to bed.
Ionikos held on for a much-needed 1-0 home win against Asteras Tripolis to get off the bottom of the ladder, thanks to an own goal from defender David Carmona who tried to clear a dangerous ball across the six-yard box (9′).
Levadiakos fell back into last place despite a spirited 1-1 draw at home with Atromitos as all the relegation-threatened teams continue to pull off big results.
The hosts managed to sneak ahead after 70 minutes of play, with centre half Paulo Vinicius scoring a header from a corner.
The Peristeriotes responded soon after as substitute Vidar Orn Kjartansson struck the ball into an empty net to earn a point.
OFI inflicted a 0-1 home loss onto Giannina after a 20th minute winner from wing back Eric Larsson was enough to hand them their fourth straight defeat.
This is a worrying sight for the Epirus club who have now gone 11 matches winless, a horrid run that has them sitting now only two points safe from the relegation spots.
Greek Super League Ladder
Championship Group
1-AEK: 63
2-Panathinaikos: 63
3-Olympiacos: 60
4-PAOK: 57
5-Aris: 41
6-Volos: 40
Relegation Group
1-Atromitos: 33
2-OFI: 30
3-Panetolikos: 29
4-Asteras Tripolis: 28
5-Giannina: 23
6-Lamia: 23
7-Ionikos: 21
8-Levadiakos: 19
