AEK out to improve atrocious derby record against high-flying Panathinaikos
SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 23
AEK host Panathinaikos in the headline fixture of Matchday 23 of the Greek Super League, with the hosts out to improve on an atrocious record in derbies, not having picked up a win in their last 13 matches
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The two Athenian rivals lock horns for the second time this season, and the stakes will be as high as ever, as the regular season draws to a conclusion. The Enosi currently sit four points ahead of the Trifylli on the ladder, so a win for the visitors will take them to within a point of their city rivals.
AEK appear to have no issue in beating the lesser sides but significantly struggle in derbies. They have comfortably swept aside the likes of Panetolikos, Larissa, Volos, and Atromitos since the turn of the year, however, they boast a shockingly poor record in derby matches - they are winless in their last 13 derbies. Ironically, the last win AEK had in a derby against the ‘big four’ came against Panathinaikos in April 2018 (en route to winning the title).
Ever since then, it has been slim pickings for the Enosi as they continue to come up short in the big games. These are the fixtures that fans want to win, and these victories assist in bringing a feelgood factor to the club. The Enosi’s poor form in their last 13 derbies can be attributed to a lack of tactical nous by various coaches and a lack of passion, desire, and energy (key traits needed in these matches).
Conversely, Panathinaikos are flying. The Greens have won five league matches in a row to skyrocket up the ladder and virtually lock their place in the top-six. At the start of the new year, they sat in the bottom half, but these five wins have seen the team rise up the ladder and lift the mood at the club.
They are doing it by playing good football, with new signings Anuar Tuhami and Dominik Nagy making an immediate impact. This is in addition to Ghayas Zahid flourishing in a roaming role in the hole, operating as an attacking midfielder. Tasos Chatzigiovanis is also in good form and playing with confidence. The defensive unit is among the best in the league, as Bart Schenkeveld and Achilleas Poungouras have formed a formidable combination in the heart of defence. Behind them, Sokratis Dioudis continues to make the big saves. This has led to the team keeping five clean sheets in a row during this winning run.
AEK have the quality across the park to hurt Panathinaikos and give them a reality check heading into the playoffs, but their key players need to be up for the match psychologically. They opted for a back three in their most recent league match against Atromitos, but playing in front of their fans at home, they could look to revert to a traditional back four in a bid to be more expansive and play on the front foot.
Additionally, their new-look striker pairing up front has the potential to cause every team in Greece headaches. Sergio Araujo has returned for his third stint at the club, and the fan favourite had formed a lethal partnership with Marko Livaja in the 2017-18 title-winning season. Polish midfielder Damian Szymanski has also shown good signs since joining.
AEK defeated Atromitos on the road in their last league start with a 0-1 scoreline, thanks to a second-half goal from Nenad Krsticic, who then received a red card. The Enosi also drew with Panetolikos in the first leg of the Greek Cup quarter-finals midweek.
Panathinaikos defeated rivals PAOK 2-0 at OAKA last weekend to register their second derby win of the season. The Greens played with purpose and pressed to great effect in a match where they outplayed PAOK. They emerged victorious courtesy of second-half goals from Federico Macheda and Chatzigiovanis. The Trifylli also lost to PAOK 2-0 at Toumba in the first leg of the Greek Cup quarter-finals during the week.
The two Athenian rivals played out a thrilling encounter earlier this season at OAKA when it was Panathinaikos’ turn to be the hosts. The Greens were trailing 0-2 at halftime but against all the odds, regrouped and scored three times to snatch a dramatic 3-2 win. Substitute Dimitris Kolovetsios scored a late header but did not celebrate against his former side, even though it sparked wild scenes in the crowd. It will go down as one of the best matches this season and one of the best derbies in recent memory.
Team News - AEK
The Enosi have named all three starting centre backs from the last start in the matchday squad. However, playing at home and in desperate need of a derby win could opt Massimo Carrera to shift to a 4-3-3, instead of the 3-5-2 used last up. Helder Lopes has been named but was recently battling injury troubles, meaning Niklas Hult could start at left-back. Christos Almpanis has also been named after recovering from a minor injury in the midweek Greek Cup match. The big blow comes in the form of Nelson Oliveira, who will miss this match due to injury. Paulinho and Giorgos Giakoumakis are also out.
Possible line-up: Barkas, Hult, Vranjes, Chygrynskiy, Bakakis, Krsticic, Szymanski, Mantalos, Verde, Araujo, Livaja.
Team News - Panathinaikos
After enjoying a settled line-up for a run of fixtures that led to an impressive run of results, rotation is the name of the game for the Greens. Due to having a small squad and the demands of consecutive weeks of midweek action in the Greek Cup, the Trifylli could make up to six changes. Georgios Donis could even look to shift to a 3-4-3, with an eye to overturning a two-goal deficit against PAOK in the Greek Cup. Emanuel Insua will miss this match due to suspension, and he is the only notable absentee from the matchday squad (Dimitris Kolovos has been left out too). This means Ilias Chatzitheodoridis may start if the team lines up in its preferred 4-2-3-1.
Possible line-up: Dioudis, Kolovetsios, Schenkeveld, Poungouras, Chatzitheodoridis, Kourbelis, C.Donis, Johansson, Nagy, Bouzoukis, Kampetsis.
Referee - Alexandros Katsikogiannis (Greece)
Assistant referees: Moisiadis, Natsiopoulos
Fourth Official: Antoniou
VAR: Kotsanis, Nikolakakis
