The reigning Greek champions have continued to stand tall in their incredibly challenging Europa League group, coming from behind to seal a point against Ajax.
AEK secured a positive 1-1 result against Ajax at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Friday morning in the second matchday of the Europa League, holding onto first position in their group with four points.
The Dutch giants opened the scoring on the half hour mark, thanks to a well-struck penalty from winger Steven Bergwijn into the bottom left corner.
Enosi managed to equalise in the 74th minute after winger Nordin Amrabat delivered a cross (following a short corner) into the box, which centre half Domagoj Vida headed into the net.
AEK gave the visitors a run for their money, creating many chances, though they would no doubt be pleased with what is another massive European result as they prove their worth in an immensely difficult group.
Panathinaikos similarly earned themselves a hard-fought point in their 0-0 away stalemate with Maccabi Haifa, moving into outright first in their group on four points.
The Greens will count themselves fortunate to have escaped with a draw, with the Israeli champions creating numerous opportunities throughout the contest without getting the ball past goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli, who was arguably man of the match.
Olympiacos conceded a 90th minute goal to draw 2-2 in their away fixture with TSC Backa Topola, leaving them in third place of their group with one point.
The Piraeus outfit took the lead 16 minutes in after Daniel Podence crossed the ball into fellow winger Giorgos Masouras, who then headed it into the bottom right.
Podence then made it two with a lovely, low-driven finish into the bottom right corner (57′) before midfielder Ifet Djakovac finished the ball in the same corner to get the Serbian side on the scoreboard (63′).
Olympiacos’ night became drastically more complicated when centre back Andreas Ntoi was sent off for a last-man foul (71′), much to the disappointment of the “red-whites” who felt he was not the last defender in the play.
The hosts eventually capitalised on the extra-man advantage as substitute forward Milos Pantovic crisply volleyed the ball into the goal after a cross from deep in the last minute of regular time, completing his side’s comeback.
Aris Limassol bagged a major victory in the Europa League, downing FC Rangers 2-1 at home to move into second place with three points in their group.
The Cypriot champions pulled ahead early after a short corner saw a cross come in for defender Alexx Moucketou-Moussounda to head in (9′).
They then doubled their lead following a bad pass that was intercepted by winger Leo Bengtsson, who drove the ball forward in a rapid counter-attack before passing it off for striker Shavy Warren Babicka to tap home (59′).
The Scottish club got one back through a header by winger Abdallah Sima (70′), knocking in a cross from midfielder John Lundstram (who had earlier made the mistake leading up to the second goal of the game), though this proved to be the final decisive moment of the clash.
PAOK struck late to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 at “Toumba” Stadium in the Europa Conference League, making it two straight wins to open their European campaign.
The Thessaloniki side went in front in the 28th minute after winger Andrija Zivkovic’s free kick delivery from the right side was left untouched, bouncing into the left side of the net.
The Germans equalised in the second half after striker Omar Marmoush successfully dispossessed young centre back Konstantinos Koulierakis, taking the ball and slotting it into the top right corner (68′).
Koulierakis would make amends for his earlier error in the most dramatic of circumstances, knocking the ball in following a free kick delivery (90+2′) to ultimately win the game.
The result makes PAOK the only Hellenic team to win their first two group stage matches, putting them in a strong position to advance to the next stage.
The Greek Super League will not feature a full round this weekend, due to council and regional elections, though the two games postponed from round one will be played.
These fixtures will take place on Monday morning and include AEK’s home match against Panetolikos (03.30) and Panathinaikos’ home game with Atromitos (05.30).
