Fantastic Five Key to Panathinaikos Turnaround
AGONAsport’s Nick Tsambouniaris identifies the key group of five players that have sparked an upturn in Panathinaikos’ fortunes over the last two derbies.
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A virtually full strength Panathinaikos outfit has taken a solid four points from its last two matches against rivals PAOK and AEK. The Greens displayed different traits across the successive derbies and a strong spine has been key to their revival in the last two weeks as a core group of players in important positions down the middle line of the pitch have made a notable difference - goalkeeper, centre back, central midfield, and striker.
The tactics were different over both games but they yielded results. It was always going to be difficult against PAOK in front of a notoriously crazy Toumba atmosphere. Consequently, the Trifylli played more defensive and were tight at the back, limiting the hosts to great effect. Then they pounced on their mistakes. It was a different story at home to an injury-ravaged AEK. The team played on the front foot and controlled the midfield. Of course, the “fighting soul” synonymous with the club was on show as the team produced a comeback for the ages after trailing by two goals at half-time.
Here are the five key players in the last two weeks.
Sokratis Dioudis
The goalkeeper has not enjoyed a great start to the season but has turned it around in the last two derbies. His acrobatic blocks have saved the Greens points - he denied PAOK of a goal with a stunning save in the second half, diving to his right to stop a header, but was even better against AEK. He single-handedly kept his team in the game which laid the platform for the comeback. The Enosis had several chances to clinch the game by scoring a third but he made four big, match-defining saves.
Bart Schenkeveld
The Dutchman has now settled in at Panathinaikos and has made a notable difference at the back as he offers something different and has the whole package for a centre-back. He joined late in the summer but has well and truly found his feet. Big and strong, he is commanding in the air, positionally sound and is comfortable playing with the ball at his feet. The latter trait has not been seen at the club for some time. This has allowed the team to keep possession better and put less strain on the backline. He also possesses strong leadership qualities.
Tasos Chatzigiovanis
The rejuvenated winger is the odd one out here as his position is not considered as a ‘core position down the middle of the pitch’. Ever since penning a new deal, he has regained his place in the team and has emerged as the talisman. He has taken his game to a new level and has made the team unpredictable in the final third with his pace, creativity, and energy. He was the man of the match against AEK and notched a stunning assist for Juan Jose Perea’s goal. Chatzigiovanis is a genuine game-changer and is full of confidence at the moment.
Ghayas Zahid
He has slotted in seamlessly and looks more comfortable playing in his preferred position in the ‘hole’ behind the striker as an attacking midfielder. He has three goals to his name so far this season and has an eye for the spectacular. He was the key protagonist in the comeback win over AEK and scored the first goal of the game at a stunned Toumba. This knee injury has come at the wrong time as he was finding form. He will miss the next month.
Federico Macheda
It has been clear from last season that Panathinaikos were a different team with the Italian forward in the team leading the line. Fit again (he has put a back injury behind him), he has displayed the kind of killer instinct key for any team to thrive. He has two goals to his name in the last two derbies, and four overall so far this season. His goal at Toumba came after he sprung the offside trap and kept his cool to beat the opposing goalkeeper, whereas his goal at OAKA against AEK was the equaliser. He collected the ball from just past the halfway line and dribbled with it all the way into the box, before coolly slotting past Vasilis Barkas into the bottom right corner with his weaker left foot. A fit Macheda is one of the best strikers in the Championship and his all-round game has the ability to transform the Greens’ fortunes.
