AEK conquer PAOK at the Toumba
SUPER LEAGUE PLAYOFFS - MATCHDAY 5
AEK blew the race for second place in the Super League wide open on Wednesday after beating rivals PAOK 2-0 at the Toumba in their crucial Play Offs derby clash.
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Defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy headed home the opening goal for Massimo Carrera’s AEK side, who produced a stellar away performance, controlling the play for long spells in the first half and not allowing a disjointed-looking PAOK to find their rhythm.
Abel Ferreira’s men, who were missing a clutch of key players due to injury, struggled to respond in this ‘Derby of the Double-headed Eagles’ showdown, and their miserable night was complete when Marko Livaja tucked away a late penalty after young defender Giannis Michailidis had fouled Daniele Verde.
The result means both sides are now level on 59 points with five matches to play in what is turning out to be an intriguing battle.
THE MATCH
This AGONAsport Match of the Week saw two sides that have developed an intense rivalry in recent years coming together in the battle for second place.
PAOK came into the match leading AEK by three points, 59 to 56, in what has become an intense race for second place and the Champions’ League qualifying berth that goes with it.
With Olympiacos having already claimed the title, and AEK also through to the Greek Cup final to face the Erythrolefki, this match presented an opportunity to PAOK to cement their grip on the runners-up spot.
But AEK were also looking to bounce back from their defeat to Olympiacos last time out and put themselves back in the picture for a Champions League spot.
Despite all the hype, the first half of this Matchday 5 Play Offs clash did not really live up to expectations, with both teams looking tense and cautious, while also failing to create serious scoring chances.
And somewhat surprisingly, it was AEK who had the upper hand in terms of meaningful play, forcing a series of corners and Marko Livaja looking lively. After an impressive display against Aris, PAOK were more low key.
As the game approached half-time AEK threatened again, and the Kitrinomavri almost opened the scoring in the 40th minute.
Livaja sent a free-kick effort goalwards and the ball took a wicked deflection of PAOK midfielder Anderson Esiti, forcing goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis to make an excellent reflex save.
That proved a warning shot as just two minutes later, AEK went in front. Livaja was in the thick of the action again, sending over a perfect corner which was met by the head of Chygrynskiy, who made no mistake.
It was a defensive horror show for PAOK, with Paschalakis showing poor judgement, along with defenders Fernando Varela and Leo Matos, both of whom mis-timed their jumps.
PAOK needed a big response in the second half, and although there was an improvement, the home side had to wait until 61 minutes for a chance. It fell to Diego Biseswar, but the Dutchman’s finish was poor and sailed over the crossbar from a good position after an error from AEK goalkeeper Stratos Svarnas.
Six minutes later and PAOK should really have levelled matters when Rodrigo surged down the right and pulled the ball back across goal. Chuba Akpom was arriving but he somehow failed to make contact and the chance was gone.
Next it was AEK’s turn to pose an attacking threat, and the visitors did have the ball in the net on 72 minutes when Helder Lopes scored. However, the Portuguese defender’s ‘goal’ was chalked off correctly for offside.
AEK’s evening got even better on 80 minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Michailidis fouled AEK’s Italian forward Verde in the PAOK box.
Who else but Livaja then stepped up to take the spot-kick and beat Paschalakis to make it 2-0 to the visitors to spark jubilant celebrations down in the AEK dugout.
That goal had PAOK reeling with the realization that a huge opportunity to lock-up second place had gone begging, and Ferreira’s players could not fashion any openings as the match petered out.
There was one more chance for PAOK to get on the scoresheet two minutes from full-time, but Lazaros Lamprou’s effort and good work from Omar El Kaddouri was cleared off the line by Lopes.
STARTING LINEUPS
Paok: 31 Paschalakis (Gk), 3 Matos, 4 Ingason, 5 Varela, 23 Giannoulis, 24 Esiti, 8 Mauricio, 7 El Kaddouri, 68 Tzolis, 99 Stoch, 9 Swiderski
Aek: 1 Barkas (Gk), 3 Lopes, 19 Chygrynskyy, 24 Svarnas, 27 Paulinho, 6 Krsticic, 8 Simoes, 14 Albanis, 20 Mandalos, 10 Livaja, 18 Oliveira
