Atromitos concede three consecutive defeats for first time since 2017
Two weeks ago, just one point separated Atromitos and third place of the Super League table, but a poor run of form against Greece’s best has ruined their podium hopes.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com!
Late March and early April was always going to be a thorough exam of Atromitos’ credentials. Playing against PAOK, AEK and Olympiacos in consecutive games isn’t exactly an easy task, but considering Atromitos’ achievements in the past two seasons, they would have wanted a better result than a dismal return of zero points.
Atromitos were well beaten in Thessaloniki. PAOK, who are closing in on their maiden league title in 34 years, breezed past Atromitos 3:0 with a clinical, ruthless performances inside a packed Toumba Stadium. Initially, Atromitos goalkeeper Christos Theodorakis expertly saved a penalty from Vieriniha, but he was finally beaten in the 39th minute by Sergio Oliveira’s header. Diego Biseswar then made no mistake from the spot in first half stoppage time, and in the second half, Karol Swiderski increased the lead to three. Just to rub salt into the wounds, Brazilian attacker Felipe Bruno was sent off with five minutes remaining.
Nevertheless, despite that loss, Atromitos had the chance to leapfrog AEK into third spot when hosting the reigning Greek champions in Peristeri in their next game. AEK came into the duel in the midst of a dreadful run of form, but the Kitrinomavri sprung back to life against Atromitos, playing intelligent football throughout proceedings and snatching a potentially decisive victory when Christos Almpanis delivered a delightful finish when clean through in the 85th minute. A huge blow to Atromitos’ hopes of finishing on the Super League podium.
There was more disappointment to come in Piraeus. In recent years, Atromitos have proven to be one of Olympiacos’ toughest opponents in the Super League, and they made the breakthrough at the Karaiskakis Stadium with Efthymis Koulouris striking at point blank range. Head coach Damir Canadi’s tactics were working a treat, but after Guilherme equalised early in the second half, Andreas Bouchalakis won the game for Olympiacos in the latter stages. Atromitos are now a distant seven points adrift of third placed AEK with four rounds remaining, and even more worryingly for Canadi, Aris have caught them in fourth. The two clubs, level on 43 points each, are set to meet at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium on matchday 28.
Interestingly, the last time Atromitos lost at least three successive matches was back in the 2016/2017 campaign, when they fell to Olympiacos (0:2), AEK (0:1), Panionios (1:2) and PAOK (0:2). Never before had Atromitos conceded three defeats in a row under the guidance of 48-year-old Austrian boss Canadi.
Atromitos will look to get back to winning ways on Monday at home to relegated Apollon Smyrnis. Their target of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League is still very much a realistic one.
