Greens defeat Xanthi to go fourth
 

SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 19

Panathinaikos moved up to fourth in the table on Sunday after claiming a second Super League win in succession against Xanthi, defeating the Akrites 1-0 at the Xanthi FC Arena in Pigadia.

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Italian striker Federico Macheda scored the only goal of the game five minutes into the second half as Giorgos Donis’ team celebrated back-to-back three-point hauls in the league also on the back of an emotional Greek Cup tie against PAS Giannina in mid-week.

Donis had broken down in tears at the final whistle in mid-week as his team came from behind to beat PAS and book a place in the quarter-finals of the cup, and the same passion and urgency was on display again in Xanthi

After being plagued by inconsistency in the first half of the season, the Greens now have 28 points and are well and truly in the race for a place in the Play Offs, while Xanthi, who had started the season so well, are in danger of slipping out of the top six picture. They are seventh with 26 points.

THE MATCH

Panathinaikos came into this match full of positive vibes and attacking impetus having won their last two league and cup matches, while Xanthi were seeking to do the double over the Greens having beaten them 1-0 at the OAKA earlier in the season.

To give added spice to the fixture, Xanthi had also won two in a row and began the day in fifth place in the standings, one point above Panathinaikos, who needed a win to consolidate their position in the top six for the playoffs.

After a dull opening 10 minutes, Panathinaikos began to take control of proceedings, dominating the possession and getting in dangerous areas behind the home side’s defence, while Xanthi focused on trying to keep the visitors at bay and failed to create any chances of note in the opening half.

Panathinaikos’ best opportunity came via a double chance mid-way through the half, but Xanthi goalkeeper Carlos Abad managed to keep out both Macheda’s shot and an effort from Tasos Chatzigiovanis. Abad was untroubled later on by a backheeled effort from defender Achilleas Pouggouras, which sailed wide.

The crucial moment came five minutes after the restart, when Ghayas Zahid's excellent pass released Macheda, who obliged with a clinical finish to make it 1-0.

Macheda’s strike - which was his seventh of the season - proved the difference in the end, with Panathinaikos content to sit on the lead and the home side unable to find a breakthrough. The hosts also ended the match with 10 players after Jean Barrientos was shown a red card for picking up a second booking in the 89th minute.

Another highlight of the match for the Greens was the full debut of Anuar Tuhami, who started the match and showed promising glimpses of his talent with some excellent runs, passing and energy.

Tuhami was joined by Hungarian midfielder Dominik Nagy, another winter transfer recruit who made his debut from the bench.

STARTING LINEUPS

Xanthi: 1 Abad (Gk), 7 Sturgeon, 12 Teixeira, 9 Kovacevic, 25 Sosa, 5 Baxevanidis, 22 Casado, 23 Malezas, 4 Karasalidis, 8 Camara, 87 Castro, 

Panathinaikos: 1 Dioudis (Gk), 2 Johansson, 3 Insua, 5 Schenkeveld, 8 Donis, 9 Macheda, 10 Zahid, 11, Chatzigiovanis, 17 Bech, 26, Tuhami, 44 Pougouras

HIGHLIGHTS

by Graham Wood

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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