All square between AEK and Panathinaikos
SUPER LEAGUE PLAYOFFS - MATCHDAY 1
There was nothing to separate AEK and Panathinaikos in Sunday’s late Athens derby as their Super League Play Offs opener ended in a 1-1 draw.
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Chances were at a premium at the Olympic Stadium in what was an instantly forgettable first-half, similar in style to Sunday evening’s first derby clash of Matchday 1 between PAOK and Olympiacos in Thessaloniki.
But thankfully things livened up after half-time with Panathinaikos going in front thanks to Italian striker Federico Macheda’s tap-in. AEK, who had been poor up until 75 minutes, found a way back courtesy of Marko Livaja’s virtuoso leveller.
Both teams looked severely - but understandably - out of match practice and fatigue began to set in in the latter stages of the second half as the match petered out.
The result does not help either side’s chances in their hopes of pushing for a second-place finish for a Champions League spot, and everything will depend on how much they will improve as the Play Offs progress.
THE MATCH
The match represented a second derby clash in the space of a few hours, with PAOK having gone toe-to-toe with Olympiacos in the earlier kick-off at the Toumba.
AEK, who ended the regular season in third spot, were welcoming Panathinaikos in the venue both clubs use, the Olympic Stadium, hoping to gain ground on PAOK after their defeat by the Erythrolefki.
The Kitrinomavri have it all to play for with regard to second place and a potential spot in next season’s Champions’ League qualifiers. Before kick-off they trailed second-placed PAOK by just a single point. Panathinaikos meanwhile, still harbor hopes of second place, but they knew they have to somehow claw back an eight-point deficit.
But the expected urgency given the stakes was severely lacking as both sets of players looked disjointed in an anaemic first half with no threats on goal posted by either side.
Anyone hoping for a drastic improvement in the second half was to be pleasantly surprised as both teams upped the ante a little, without being spectacular.
It was Panathinaikos who began to look the most likely to make a breakthrough, and they thought they had done in the 52nd minute. Ghayas Zahid beat Ognjen Vranjes in the tackle and crossed for Macheda, and he was able to tap the ball into an empty net after AEK goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas misjudged the ball as he came to claim it.
The Greens’ celebrations were cut short moments later, however, when the referee ruled the ‘goal’ out for a foul which was committed by Matias Johansson on AEK forward Marko Livaja in the build-up.
AEK were quick to respond just four minutes later when Michalis Bakakis surged dangerously into the Panathinaikos penalty. The Greece full-back squared the ball across the penalty area but Bart Schekefeld was there to get in an important block for the visitors.
Panathinaikos were still looking the side most likely to score and they finally opened the scoring in the 65th minute. Johansson began the move, passing to Macheda who released substitute Dominik Nagy. He sprinted past Stratos Svarnas before crossing to Macheda who gleefully converted the assist to make it 1-0.
AEK needed to respond and they did just that in the 75th minute through Livaja. The Croatian striker picked up possession under close attention from Johansson. He skillfully turned his man before beating Barkas with a powerful shot to make it 1-1.
It was a goal out of nothing and just what AEK needed after a disappointing three-quarters of the match until that point. And it was the home side who finished the game strongest, with Petros Mantalos almost prodding home a late winner.
The AEK skipper narrowly failed to make contact with the ball under pressure from Johansson after Viktor Klonaridis had released Damian Szymanski, who had sent a cross across the penalty box.
STARTING LINEUPS
AEK: 1 Barkas (Gk), 3 Lopes, 21 Vranjes, 24 Svarnas, 2 Bakakis, 6 Krsticic, 5 Szymanski, 20 Mantalos, 10 Livaja, 7 Verde, 8 Simoes
Panathinaikos: 1 Dioudis (Gk), 3 Insua, 4 Kolovetsios, 5 Schenkeveld, 2 Johansson, 21 Kourbelis, 8 Donis, 11 Chatzigiovanis, 10 Zahid, 20 Ayoub, 9 Macheda
