Atromitos suffer Xanthi setback
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 17
| Xanthi | 2 - 1 | Atromitos |
|---|---|---|
| Djurickovic 35' Castro 65 (P)' |
Koulouris 5' |
Atromitos dropped more points in their seemingly fruitless pursuit of SuperLeague pacesetters PAOK and Olympiacos on Sunday after going down to a 2-1 defeat at Xanthi.
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Top scorer Efthymis Koulouris opened the scoring for Damir Canadi’s team with his 12th goal of the season after five minutes, but a leveller from Petar Durickovic before half-time and a second-half penalty from Matias Castro turned the game on its head.
It is a disappointing result for Atromitos, who have taken just one point from their first two matches of 2019 and are likely to slip to fourth place with AEK taking their place in third with another impressive win.
Having drawn 2-2 at home against Panaitolikos last weekend, Atromitos needed to bounce back with a strong performance against Xanthi at Pigadia.
And they got the perfect start when on-loan hitman Koulouris made it 1-0 in the fifth minute, netting from close range from Theodoros Vasilikakis’ assist.
Xanthi’s response was strong as they set about trying to level the scores, with Milan Rastavac’s team controlling 61% of possession at one point. A goal finally arrived in the 35th minute when a left-wing cross found its way to Durickovic at the back post and he gleefully slotted home unmarked.
Xanthi looked the team most likely to go on to score more goals after half-time but when the goal to put them ahead in the match for the first time came it was dubious to say the least.
Castro clearly dived in the penalty area under a light challenge, but a spot-kick was awarded which the Argentine stepped up to take himself and slot past Balazs Megyeri.
Both sides had half-chances for further goals but the scoreline remain unchanged as the hosts hung on for victory.
HIGHLIGHTS: XANTHI - ATROMITOS
