AEK return to winning ways against Larissa
SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 19
AEK put the disappointment of last week’s derby loss to reigning champions PAOK firmly behind them on Sunday with a convincing 3-0 home win over Larissa at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, while Atromitos and Volos played out a goalless draw in Peristeri.
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The goals in this Matchday 19 encounter all came from AEK’s Portuguese contingent, with Andre Simeos opening the score on the stroke of half-time, before further strikes from Nelson Oliveira and Helder Lopes in the second half saw Massimo Carrera’s men take all three points.
The result means third-placed AEK move on to 34 points, while Larissa remain in 10th spot with 23 points to show for their efforts so far.
THE MATCH
Last week’s derby defeat to PAOK in Thessaloniki left a bitter taste as Carrera’s side created precious little in the shape of scoring chances. The onus was firmly on the Kitrinomavri to force the initiative and get back to winning form.
Larisa have been on the outer fringes of the top six for most of the season. They arrived at the OAKA looking for a shock win that could move them into the playoff places and create the necessary momentum to push off from.
Based on the first half, there was little to suggest that AEK would run away with the game. On the contrary, Michalis Grigoriou’s Larissa side looked well-drilled and prepared for what the home side were going to try and throw at them.
Larissa’s solid organization meant that chances were at a premium in the opening 45 minutes, but the visitors’ resistance was finally broken in the second minute of added time when Oliveira found space to send over a cross which was turned in beautifully by Simoes to make it 1-0.
The relief was audible around the OAKA going into half-time, and the home side managed to kick on from there, starting the second half just as they did the first - with a goal.
The second breakthrough for AEK came five minutes after the interval, with Petros Mantalos, who went close with an effort just seconds after the restart, picking out Oliveira with an assist which the Portguese converted brilliantly with a diagonal shot.
At that point the game was over as a contest, but AEK kept the tempo of the game to their preference and were soon 3-0 ahead just 12 minutes later. This time Lopes was the beneficiary of a superb Mantalos pass, bringing the ball under control before rifling it home to wrap up a resounding victory.
STARTING LINEUPS
AEK: 1 Barkas (Gk), 2 Bakakis, 3 Lopes, 4 Economou, 21 Vranjes, 6 Krsticic, 7 Verde, 8 Simoes, 24 Svarnas, 20 Mandalos, 18 Oliveira
Larissa: 1 Kristinsson (Gk), 18 Moras, 5 Mihail, 28 Bralic, 22 Secerovic, 8 Milosavljevic, 26 Kace, 20 Karanikas, 25 Bertos, 7 Warda, 11 Papazoglou
All square in Peristeri
Meanwhile in Peristeri, Atromitos’ inconsistent form continued as they had to settle for a goalless draw at home to Volos.
Giorgos Korakakis’ side came into this game needing a win to boost their credentials for a top six place, but in what was the third match between these two teams in 13 days, chances were few and far between.
While Giorgos Manousos and Javier Umbides were lively for the home side, only four shots on target from 11 attempts tells its own story of what was an instantly forgettable match.
Despite the result, Atromitos remain in the hunt for a place in the top six, as they are seventh but are level on 26 points with OFI and Aris, who occupy fifth and sixth respectively.
Volos have been up to the challenge in their first top-flight season since promotion, but they have blown hot and cold and are lingering down in 11th with 22 points.
