SLGR Matchday 26 Recap: PAOK Continue Title March After Xanthi Victory

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis brings you a full recap of matchday 26 action in the Greek SuperLeague.

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PAOK edged toward their first title since 1985 with a 2-1 win at Xanthi in Matchday 26 action of the 2018/19 Greek Super League. With four rounds remaining and a ten-point lead over Olympiacos (who have one match in hand), Razvan Lucescu’s team are within reach of the championship. Olympiacos continued to keep the pressure on with a 2-1 comeback win against Atromitos. Elsewhere, Apollon were officially relegated while Larisa and PAS Giannina scored big results to boost their chances of survival.

Here is a match-by match breakdown of the round including this week’s AGONAsport SLGR Awards:

PAOK continued where they left off before the international break by defeating Xanthi 2-1. The Thessaloniki side opened the scoring just past the half-hour through Sergio Oliveira and added a second thanks to Pedro Henrique in the 68th minute. Dinis Almeida pulled a goal back for the home side five minutes from time, but it was not enough to keep PAOK from coming away with the three points. PAOK remain unbeaten after 26 matches and are massive favorites for the title with four matches to play.

A come-from-behind victory by Olympiacos saw them retain their slim title hopes. The 2-1 win over Atromitos took a big second effort from the Piraeus side. League leading scorer Efthymios Koulouris scored on the half hour to give Atromitos the lead at the Karaiskakis Stadium. However, Olympiacos came out with a vengeance after the break, equalizing through Guilherme (50’). Andreas Bouchalakis then scored the winner for Pedro Martins’ side with his 75th minute strike.

AEK put forth their best display since Manolo Jimenez’s return to the club with a 4-0 thrashing of Panetolikos. Marios Oikonomou’s goal at the end of the first half gave AEK all the momentum they needed. The Kitrinomavri used a Alexandros Malis own goal early in the second half to go up 2-0 and goal from Lucas Boye and Kostas Galanopoulos in the last ten minutes turned a comfortable win into a romp.

The prospect of European football at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium next season is alive and well as Aris came back to defeat OFI 3-1. The Cretan side took the lead in the 26th minute through Ricardo Vaz and held that advantage until 15 minute remaining. It was then when Lindsay Rose equalized for the home team. Then, Javier Matilla’s goal in the final minute was followed by Nicolas Martinez’ injury-time goal as Aris pulled out a big win. The loss puts OFI five points from safety with four games left.

On Saturday, PAS Giannina opened the weekend with a crucial 2-0 win over Levadiakos thanks to late goals from Alexandros Nikolias (77’) and Dimitris Manos (90’). Making the victory all the more impressive was the fact that PAS played most of the second half with ten men due to Giannis Kargas being sent off in the 50th minute with a second yellow card. The three points did not take PAS out of the relegation places entirely, but brought the club to within a single point of safety.

Panionios was dragged back into the battle against relegation after falling 1-0 to Lamia away. Tasos Karamanos’ 7th minute goal was the difference as Lamia go up to 7th while Panionios drop to 10th, just three points above the relegation playoff place.

Vangelis Moras’ headed goal twenty minutes from time led Larisa to a vital 2-1 win over Asteras Tripolis. It was looked liked Asteras was going to come away with something from this game after Nikos Kaltsas’ opener (17’). Fatjon Antoni’s penalty on 31 minutes brought the home team level before Moras popped up fifteen minutes from the end to score the winner.

On Monday, Panathinaikos secured comfortable 3-1 victory over Apollon. Ilias Chatzitheodoridis, Argyris, Kampetsis, and Federico Macheda scored for Giorgos Donis’ team. Apollon, who were officially relegated over the weekend, tried to fightback through a Nikos Vafeas goal, but it was a task too tall as they played on from the 55th minute with ten men due a red card issued to Thomas.

Matchday MVP - Vangelis Moras

How many times do you score the game-winning goal that wins your team a crucial relegation encounter all the while paying tribute to your brother who lost his battle in 2015 with leukemia? Moras did all that on Saturday as his 75th minute header led Larisa past Asteras Tripolis. In another fine defensive effort, Moras’ leadership characteristics were on full display. He may have led Larisa to safety thanks to an overall fantastic performance.

Goal of the Matchday - Dimitris Manos (PAS Giannina)

A truly spectacular effort by the on-loan Olympiacos striker. After a cross by Alexandros Apostolopoulos, Manos produced a wonderful bicycle kick to score from 12 yards out.

Save of the Matchday - Neofytos Michael (PAS Giannina)

At 0-0, Michael superbly tipped away a deflected free-kick from Levadiakos’ Marko Stanojevic. It was a save that kept the scores level as eventually PAS were able to find the goals needed to win the game.

Team Performance of the Matchday - AEK

Panetolikos are no slouches so for AEK to dispose of them so easily was a big feat. The title may be lost, but more performances like this weekend will certainly offer up hope as to what AEK supporters can look forward to for next season.

Surprise of the Matchday - PAS Giannina

They may have played the last forty minutes down to 10 men, but PAS Giannina upset the odds to defeat Levadiakos. In the process, Giannis Petrakis’ men gained new found energy in their fight against the drop while essentially delivering the fatal blow to Levadiakos’ hopes of survival.

Disappointment of the Matchday - Panetolikos

Just a few weeks ago, Panetolikos were being talked about as darkhorses to finish in the European places. Since then, Traianos Dellas has seen his team struggle mightily. The biggest low though was this weekend’s 4-0 to AEK. It was not just a below par defensive outing, it was a poor day for the team’s attack as they registered no shots on target.

by George Tsitsonis

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