Prijovic punishes AEK as PAOK clinch derby clash
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 4
| PAOK | 2 - 0 | AEK |
|---|---|---|
| Prijovic 29',59' |
PAOK striker Aleksandar Prijovic was AEK’s executioner on Sunday as the Serbian marksman scored twice to give his side a vital 2-0 win in the big SuperLeague derby clash at the Toumba stadium in Salonica.
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The prolific 28-year-old put PAOK in front just before the half-hour mark after a mistake by AEK defender Vasilis Lampropoulos, and Lampropoulos was at fault again as Projovic pounced to head home his team’s second after half-time.
In an absorbing encounter played in front of a sold-out and typically boisterous Toumba, both teams gave their all and it was one of those rare derby matches when the quality of football on offer lived up to the expectation.
There were chances for both teams but Razvan Lucescu’s PAOK were more clinical when presented with the opportunities, and the home side also had goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis in top form to make a couple of crucial saves.
As a result, PAOK join Atromitos at the top of the table with 10 points from their opening four matches, while Marinos Ouzounidis’ AEK slip down to fourth spot with nine points. Olympiacos can move top if they win at Panionios on Monday.
Plenty of fireworks were expected in what was the first big derby of the fledgling SuperLeague season between these two fierce rivals, who have left plenty of bad blood simmering between them over the summer.
Last season, both teams were engaged in a pulsating Super League title race, until the two met in Salonica and the Athenians were gifted a decisive 3-0 victory after home president Ivan Savvidis memorably charged onto the pitch to confront the referee with his gun holster on full display, after having a winning goal having been controversially disallowed.
PAOK went on to get a measure of revenge in the Greek Cup final by defeating AEK 2-0 at the Olympic Stadium, and their eagerness was on show again tonight as they began on the front foot.
The hosts were unlucky not to be in front after 15 minutes as the first clear chance of the match went begging. AEK had their big goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas to thank after he produced a stunning save to deny Fernando Varela’s header at the back post from a whipped corner delivered by Portuguese midfielder Vierinha.
AEK responded immediately, however, and striker Marko Livaja came close to putting the Kitrinomavri ahead five minutes later when his powerful shot slammed off the left post of PAOK goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis.
PAOK looked to be the team more sure of themselves and after a spell of pressure the home side finally took the lead in the 29th minute.
Despite the home side’s pressing, AEK only had themselves to blame for the goal as Lampropoulos gave the ball away cheaply to Prijovic, who then had time to hold off Marios Oikonomou and pick his spot to shoot past Barkas.
The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the PAOK bench and in the thundering stands of the Toumba, with the home team sensing that it was going to be their night against the champions.
AEK did not panic though and continued to try to play their way through PAOK’s defence, and they missed a golden chance to level matters five minutes before half-time when Ezequiel Ponce’s header from a precise Petros Mantalos free-kick was brilliantly saved by Paschalakis.
The second half did not have the same frenetic tempo of the first, but both teams looked composured and threatening whenever they came forward.
It was another mistake from Lampropoulos, who had a night to forget for AEK, that allowed the home side to double their advantage on 59 minutes.
Full-back Leo Matos, who had another storming match down the right in both defence and attack, ran almost half the length of the pitch to play a one-two with Prijovic, who then set off to the goal to latch on to Matos’ center.
Lampropoulos was caught woefully out of position as Prijovic escaped his attention and the Serb scored with a free header which left Barkas no chance.
The response from AEK was immediate, but this time it was Tasos Bakasetas who was denied by the woodwork as his powerful shot cannonced off Paschalakis’ right post just three minutes later.
AEK spent the remainder of the match trying to breach the PAOK goal as the home side attempted to sit back and soak up the pressure, but the closest the visitors came was a shot from Helder Lopes three minutes from time which Paschalakis fisted away awkwardly.
