SLGR Matchday 19 Recap: PAOK Take Top Spot With Crucial Win In Agrinio
GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 19
| Date | Home Team | Score | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27-Jan-18 | Kerkyra | 2 - 0 | Platanias |
| 27-Jan-18 | Apollon Smyrnis | 0 - 0 | Panathinaikos |
| 27-Jan-18 | AEK | 2 - 0 | Lamia |
| 28-Jan-18 | Panetolikos | 0 - 1 | PAOK |
| 28-Jan-18 | Xanthi | 2 - 1 | Levadiakos |
| 28-Jan-18 | Atromitos | 1 - 0 | Larissa |
| 28-Jan-18 | Panionios | 0 - 1 | PAS Giannina |
| 28-Jan-18 | Asteras Tripolis | 1 - 1 | Olympiacos |
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis brings you a full recap of matchday 19 action in the Greek SuperLeague. For all the latest fixtures and result visit here. For the the up to date Supereague standings visit here.
PAOK took control of the Greek Super League with thanks to their win on Matchday 19 win coupled with Olympiacos dropping their first points in ten matches. Elsewhere, AEK and Atromitos got back on the winning track, while Xanthi came from behind and PAS Giannina pulled off a big away victory.
An Aleksandar Prijovic penalty-kick was the difference as PAOK picked up a massive victory over Panetolikos 1-0 on Sunday. The three points were enough to put Razvan Lucescu’s team top of the table by a single point over Olympiacos. Prijovic scored from twelve yards just three minutes from the end as PAOK won their seventh match in a row. The win boosted their chances for that long elusive league title just eleven rounds from the finish.
Olympiacos could not find a second-half breakthrough as they settled for a 1-1 draw away to Asteras Tripolis. The home side took the lead after 20 minutes with Mathias Iglesias scoring. Oscar Garcia’s men fought back to level terms thanks to a Karim Ansarifard penalty-kick just five minutes from the break.
AEK and Atromitos both rediscovered their winning form after a couple of disappointing results in recent weeks. AEK were victorious over Lamia on Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium by a 2-0 score. The Kitrinomavri receiving goals on either side of halftime from Lazaros Christodoulopoulos and Marko Livaja. An Abiola Dauda strike just after the hour gave Atromitos a narrow 1-0 win over Larisa in a dominating display by the Peristeri club.
Elsewhere, Xanthi and PAS Giannina picked up big wins. Xanthi had to come back from a goal behind to defeat Levadiakos at home 2-1. Mohamed Youssouf gave the visitors a lead on 31 minutes before goals after halftime by Pablo De Lucas and Vasilis Fasidis turned the match around for Xanthi. PAS Giannina strolled out of Nea Smyrni thanks to an injury-time goal by Themistoklis Tzimopoulos.
Finally, in Saturday’s early matches, Kerkyra used a brace by Thuram to take a 2-0 decision over Platanias in a battle of teams hoping to avoid relegation. While Apollon Smirnis and Panathinaikos played out a dour 0-0 stalemate in a match of precious few chances.
Matchday MVP - Aleksandar Prijovic (PAOK)
It may not seem like a clear-cut choice this week, but credit to PAOK’s Prijovic. The Serb striker having ice in his veins as he converted the 87th minute penalty to give PAOK a priceless win. He kept the Panetolikos backline working all 90 minutes.
Goal of the Matchday - Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (AEK)
Fantastic goal by Lazaros. He may not have done much besides being in the right situation at the right time, but the Greek international placed the finishing touch in a move that involved several players. The likes of Masoud, Tasos Bakasetas, Livajia, and Simoes combined on the left to perfect serve up Christodoulopoulos at the back post.
Save of the Matchday - Alexandros Paschalakis (PAOK)
Stunning stop from the 28-year-old who a fine save to his right, low, and at full stretch to tip away an effort from Clesio. The save denied a goal and PAOK went on for the win.
Play of the Matchday - Atromitos
Wonderful team goal by Atromitos for the winner in their 1-0 win over Larisa. A pressing masterclass saw the Peristeri team win the ball in an advanced position just 10 yards outside the Larisa box. Aser Busuladzic took the control of the ball playing it into Bruno, who laid it off out wide to Nicolas Diguiny. The Brazilian attacker flashed a ball across the face of goal where the onrushing Abiola Dauda smashed it home. A perfect example of a high press and what could result if done properly.
Team Performance of the Matchday - Xanthi
It may be an up and down season for Xanthi, but they showed they are a resilient group on Sunday. The team’s second half showing was impressive as they fought back from a goal down to defeat Levadiakos.
Surprise of the Matchday - PAS Giannina
Panionios are not having a super season, but they are consistently good once again. That makes Giannina’s 1-0 victory at Nea Smyrni even more impressive. A solid gameplan saw PAS hold the hosts at bay for the entire match before they managed to strike in the dying moments of the game for the win.
Disappointment of the Matchday - Olympiacos
The reigning champions were not exactly poor at Asteras, but more is expected from this team. Oscar Garcia would not have been happy with the team’s overall display, especially at the back where Asteras threatened with dangerous attacks on a few occasions.
