Late Almpanis strike seals it for AEK
 

GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 25

Christos Almpanis came off the bench to score a superb late goal which earned AEK a narrow 1-0 win over Atromitos in Peristeri on Sunday as the Kitrinomavri cemented their grip on third place.

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Just three minutes after replacing Nenad Krstičić, AEK number 7 Almpanis showed a great turn of pace to surge on to a long ball before clipping a great effort past Atromitos goalkeeper Christos Theodorakis and into the top corner.

That proved enough to seal all three points for AEK, who just about deserved the win on the balance of play against Damir Canadi’s Atromitos side in the Athens sunshine at the Peristeri Municipal Stadium.

As a result, AEK ended a two-match run without a win and now move four points clear of fourth-placed Atromitos with five games to play until the end of the season.

THE MATCH

AEK came into this Matchday 25 encounter billed as “The Battle For Third Place” needing to keep in-form Atromitos at bay, and coach Manolo Jimenez was looking for a much better display compared to the truly turgid performance in last week’s 0-0 derby draw against Panathinaikos.

And although there was an improvement in AEK’s play overall, the opening 45 minutes did not provide a goal.

There was at least some goalmouth action this time with AEK almost taking the lead after just seven minutes when Tasos Bakasetas played in Viktor Klonaridis on goal. The AEK forward surged into the box but his shot was brilliantly saved by Christos Theodorakis in the Atromitos goal.

AEK continued to control most of the possession as the half wore on, but it was Atromitos who next came closest to scoring in the 33rd minute when Efthymis Koulouris capitalised on a defensive lapse by Uros Cosic and raced goalwards.

The SuperLeague top scorer’s usually reliable finishing touch let him down this time though as Koulouris was thwarted by a smart save from AEK keeper Vasilis Barkas.

AEK started the second half in a similarly strong fashion to the way they began the first, with an early chance.

Bakasetas, who had been a lively performer in the first half for the visitors, found himself with time and space for a shot from a tight angle just four minutes in, but the Greece international’s effort was well blocked by Theodorakis.

The match began to open up in the later stages and there were chances for both sides to score. Atromitos should have made it 1-0 in the 73rd minute when Amr Warda broke clear but instead of squaring the ball to the unmarked Koulouris, he opted to shoot and his effort was blocked by Cosic’s last-ditch challenge.

Next it was AEK’s turn to waste a good opportunity with 12 minutes left and it was Klonaridis in the thick of the action once more. The pacy forward sent over a low cross-shot and Cosic slide in to direct the ball goalwards, only for Theodorakis to produce a great save.

AEK were not to be denied with five minutes of normal time left though when Almpanis raced onto Marios Oikonomou’s superb raking pass to curl the ball past Theodorakis who had rushed out o his goal in an attempt to narrow the angle.

STARTING LINEUPS

Atromitos:33 Theodorakis (GK), 4 Karasalidis, 5 Chatzisaias, 8 Umbides, 10 N’Sikulu, 23 Sakic, 9 Manousos, 20 Koulouris, 15 Madson, 44 Risvanis, 19 Kivrakidis

AEK: 1 Barkas (GK), 2 Bakakis, 4 Oikonomou, 12 Galo, 15 Cosic, 6 Krstičić, 17 Klonaridis, 95 Alef, 14 Bakasetas, 22 Ponce, 31 Boye

HIGHLIGHTS: ATROMITOS - AEK

by Graham Wood

Image Source: SPORTFM.gr

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