Captain Vieirinha to the rescue for PAOK
SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 9
Andre Vieirinha came to rescue for PAOK in Sunday’s North vs. South derby as the Super League reigning champions had to settle for a dramatic 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos in a highly entertaining match at the Toumba.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
Abel Ferreira’s side came within seconds of losing their long unbeaten domestic record as Giorgos Donis’ Panathinaikos, who have struggled with inconsistent form as well as their financial troubles, took a shock 2-1 lead thanks to goals from Ghayas Zahid and Federico Macheda.
But the threat of losing their “Invincibles” crown was enough to spark a PAOK comeback in the second half, and the Thessaloniki giants drew level thanks to skipper Vieirinha after 66 minutes.
The Portuguese midfielder, who only recently returned to action following a sixth-month injury absence, showed nerves of steel to convert a penalty which was given in the fifth minute of added time after a tense VAR review.
As a result, PAOK moved to within two points of leaders Olympiacos - who have 23 points - with 21 points after nine matches, while Panathinaikos remain in 11th place with eight points.
THE MATCH
Reigning champions PAOK came into this match against derby rivals Panathinaikos looking to move level on 23 points with Olympiacos, who were held to a goalless draw by Xanthi on Saturday.
Despite a somewhat underwhelming start to the season, primarily in terms of failing to qualify for a European competition, PAOK were still undefeated in the championship, while Panathinaikos have flattered to deceive so far this season and came to Thessaloniki in a disappointing 11th position.
The Greens, who are yet to win a home match - picking up only one point (at home against Eternal Rivals Olympiacos) - have been better on the road, and so it proved to be the case once more.
In a tightly-contested first half in which clear scoring chances were at a premium, Panathinaikos looked confident and threatening, while limiting PAOK to less possession than they are used to and closing them down well in the final third.
As the tempo dropped towards the end of the half and the match looked to be drifting to half-time, the visitors got a slice of fortune which they took full advantage of. The usually ultra-reliable Crespo attempted a poor back-pass to goalkeeper Zivko Zivkovic, which Zahid intercepted. The 25-year-old Norwegian international rounded PAOK’s Serbian goalkeeper before gleefully side-footing home.
PAOK were a different proposition in the second half, applying more pressure to the Panathinaikos backline and stretching the Greens with their direct running and passing game.
The home crowd could sense that their team were getting closer to an equalizer, and they thought they had it on 65 minutes when Chuba Akpom headed goalwards. However, Panathinaikos goalkeeper Sokratis Dioudis was equal to the Englishman’s strike, parrying the ball superbly for a corner.
But the PAOK fans did not have to wait too long for a goal to come, as one minute later the hosts were level. Captain Vieirinha was the man to deliver it, firing in a shot which took a slight deflection of Panathinaikos defender Matias Johansson before finding the back of Dioudis net, causing a seismic eruption among the Toumba crowd.
PAOK then went in search of a second goal, laying siege to the Greens’ goal for the remainder of the second half.
There were chances for Akpom, who fired wastefully wide in the 72nd minute after being teed up by Leo Matos, and then the latter was denied by the right post five minutes later as the home side continued to threaten.
PAOK continued to push forward in search of a winning goal, and that was their downfall three minutes from full-time when the Greens broke forward following an attacking free-kick which PAOK had committed players forward.
Macheda was the man who did the damage, finishing clinically past Zivkovic. But the final twist was still to come.
PAOK were handed a lifeline in the fifth minute of added time when Greens defender Achilleas Pouggouras fouled Crespo in the penalty area. A drawn-out VAR review followed as frustrations boiled over on the Panathinaikos bench with coach Donis receiving a red card for his overzealous protests.
But in the 11th minute of added time following the delay over the decision, Vieirinha showed a typically cool head to slot home from 12 yards to save the day - and his team’s proud unbeaten record which stretches back to March 2018.
STARTING LINEUPS
PAOK: 88 Zivkovic (GK), 3 Matos, 4 Ingason, 15 Crespo, 23 Giannoulis, 18 Limnios, 33 Douglas, 27 Misic, 99 Stoch, 21 Biseswar, 9 Swiderski
Panathinaikos: 1 Dioudis (GK), 2 Johansson, 3 Insua, 5 Schenkeveld, 8 Donis, 9 Macheda, 10 Zahid, 11 Chatzigiovanis, 18 Bouzoukis, 21 Kourbelis, 44 Pougouras
HIGHLIGHTS
