AEK and Panathinaikos Aim for First Derby Win of the Season
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 24
| AEK | 19:30 (GR) | Panathinaikos |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 9-Mar |
Two Athenian giants AEK and Panathinaikos face off at OAKA on Saturday the 9th of March, 2019 in what is the big fixture of Matchday 24 of the Greek Super League. AGONAsport’s Nick Tsambouniaris previews the encounter..
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AEK and Panathinaikos have both endured mixed seasons. The Enosi have failed to hit the heights of last season, falling away relatively early in the title race as defending champions, not picking up a single point in the UEFA Champions League and parting ways with Marinos Ouzounidis. The Trifylli started like a house on fire with their young guns but have totally run out of puff in the second half of the season, winning only two games in the calendar year of 2019 to date.
Both sides will have one eye on next season, as AEK have a top 4 spot all-but wrapped up and Manolo Jimenez has returned to the hotseat to steady the ship and Giorgos Donis’ job is as safe as can be at the Greens and they should be clear of relegation. However, in saying that, both will be genuinely be playing for pride. Neither club has won a derby this season and will want to give their fans joy.
On paper it is a mismatch as AEK have the quality to hurt any team in the Championship on their day with talents such as Ezequiel Ponce and Marko Livaja. They will look to play on the front foot in from of their fans being the home side, attacking a Panathinaikos side low on confidence.
However, derbies are never won on paper and if players that took the Championship by storm in the first half of the season turn up such as Federico Macheda and Tasos Chatzigiovannis, then Panathinaikos will be every chance of winning. Finding the spark that has been missing in 2019 has to be the main priority for the Greens.
Both sides enter the latest installment of this Athens derby in patchy form. AEK appeared to get back on track under Jimenez but were very poor last start as they fell 0-2 in Thessaloniki to a rejuvenated Aris side looking to close in on a European spot. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos lost 0-2 for the first time at home this season to champions-elect PAOK in a match they never looked like winning.
Overall, it is the Greens that have the most wins in the derby with 97, compared to AEK’s 62. However, in recent years it has virtually been all AEK. Since their promotion back to the top flight, Panathinaikos have only defeated the Enosi just once. The last time they met it ended all square at 0-0, but Panathinaikos will feel aggrieved they did not win as they missed an array of big chances.
Team News: AEK
There is good news for AEK as key players Andre Simoes and Michalis Bakakis both successfully completed training, have been included in the squad and look set to feature. Ukrainian centre back Dmytro Chygrynskiy has also been training well and has been included in the squad. Only Petros Mantalos and Niklas Hult will miss out for the Enosi. A move away from a back three is expected as they will look to attack in front of their fans.
Possible line-up: Barkas, Galo, Oikonomou, Cosic, Bakakis, Simoes, Alef, Klonaridis, Livaja, Boye, Ponce.
Team News: Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos will be without key midfielder Giannis Bouzoukis as the youngster has been forced to sit out this derby due to his suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. On top of this, the experienced Anthony Mounier and rookie Paschalis Staikos will miss out through injury. In what is a boost for the back line, right back Ousmane Coulibaly has been cleared fit to play and has been included in the squad. Giorgos Donis looks set to play a back three to keep things tight and pack the midfield.
Possible line-up: Dioudis, Poungouras, Kolovetsios, Mavromatis, Insua, C Donis, Kourbelis, Kace, Coulibaly, Chatzigiovannis, Macheda.
Referee: Tobias Welz (GER)
German referee Tobias Welz has been entrusted with the duties of officiating this Athens derby. Overall, the concept of having foreign referees take charge of Greek derbies has proved to be a success. The 41 year old German has been refereeing in the Bundesliga since 2010 and went international in 2013, obtaining his FIFA accreditation. He officiated PAOK’s UEFA Europa League loss at Toumba to BATE Borisov. Welz is also a police officer in Germany.
Referee: Tobias Welz (GER)
Assistant Referees: Rafael Foltyn (GER), Marcus Hacker (GER)
Fourth Official: Giannis Papadopoulos (GRE)
