SLGR Matchday 7  Recap: Late Goals See PAOK And Atromitos Stay Clear

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis brings you a full recap of matchday 6 action in the Greek SuperLeague.

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PAOK and Atromitos remained atop of the Greek Super League after Matchday 7 victories. PAOK came back from an early deficit to defeat Aris in the Thessaloniki derby at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium 2-1. Atromitos scored late on to outlast Asteras Tripolis 3-2 in a topsy-turvy clash. Elsewhere, there were wins for AEK and Panathinaikos while Olympiacos found the going tough in losing to OFI in Crete.

An Aleksandar Prjiovic brace led PAOK to a big derby win over Aris 2-1 on Sunday. In the return of the Thessaloniki derby after a four-year hiatus, the match was a pulsating affair that saw Aris take the early lead through Mateo Garcia’s well-hit drive from outside the box. Prijovic levelled from the spot for PAOK in the 36th minute after a handball decision in the penalty area. Aris created the better of the chances in the second half and only the flailing left foot of Alexandros Paschalakis kept them from taking the lead as the PAOK goalkeeper saved Younes Hamza’s second half penalty kick. PAOK finished strongest and were rewarded six minutes from time as Prijovic redirected Dimitris Pelkas’ cross into the net to give PAOK the comeback win.

Efthimios Koulouris’ late goal saw Atromitos hold off the challenge of Asteras Tripolis and pick up a dramatic 3-2 win. Koulouris struck with a close range header two minutes from the end, receiving a knock that left him bleeding as he spun away to celebrate. The on-loan PAOK striker opened the scoring in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot. Asteras Jose Luis Valiente drew the visitors level twelve minutes after the break before Atromitos took the lead once again on the hour with a Juan Munafo own goal. Michalis Manias’ header brought the match back to 2-2 in an incredible seven minute span that saw three goals scored. Just when Asteras looked odds on to nab a point, Koulouris popped up with his league leading sixth goal of the season to keep Atromitos joint top of the table along with PAOK on 19 points.

The ‘paidia’ from Panathinaikos continued their extremely strong start to the Super League season with a 1-0 win over Panionios. Giorgos Donis’ youthful side were the better team throughout and broke the deadlock with 18 minutes remaining thanks a wonderful long-range effort from Ilias Chatzitheodoridis. It was the sixth win for the Prasini in their seven matches this season as they remain one of the league’s three undefeated sides.

AEK rolled past Apollon Smirnis quite comfortably in a 2-0 win. It could have been a wider margin for the Kitrinomavri who received goals from Petros Mantalos (37’) and Marko Livaja (85’) to seal the win. Apollon stay rooted to the bottom of the table on zero points as their early season malaise continues.

Conversely, fellow relegation zone strugglers, OFI, picked up an important 1-0 victory over Olympiacos in Sunday’s late kick-off. Patrick Vouho scored the winner for the home side ten minutes from the break. It was OFI’s first win of the season. Olympiacos were thwarted by a combination of strong goalkeeping from Giorgos Strezos and wayward finishing on their behalf as they go down to their second defeat of the season.

Elsewhere, Panatolikos recorded a fine 2-0 win over PAS Giannina away from home thanks to Franco Mazurek’s brace. Levadiakos had the chances, but could not convert and Xanthi came away with a 2-1 win in Levadia. The result meant that Akis Mantzios lost his job after the match for Levadiakos. Lamia came from behind to win at Larisa with Denis Epstein scoring the game-winner for the visitors.

Matchday MVP - Aleksandar Prijovic

Who else but the superb Serbian? Prijovic was the difference again for PAOK as his two goals propelled Razvan Lucescu’s men to a massive derby win over Aris. Prijovic’s game is based on many attributes, but it’s perhaps his killer instinct in front of goal that is his most important trait. That was clearly on display for his second goal as he fought hard to get position in the box in order to get a touch on Pelkas’ cross to steer it into the net. In Prijovic, PAOK have a finisher who is primed to lead them in their title challenge.

Goal of the Matchday - Milos Deletic (Larisa)

Ilias Chatzitheodoridis scored an absolute thunderbolt for Panathinaikos, but this week’s pick is from Milos Deletic. The 25-year-old Serbian midfielder went on a terrific run that began at just about the half-field line and beat several defenders before producing a fine finish to round off a true wonder strike.

Save of the Matchday - Julian Cuesta

Marc-Andre Ter Stegen produced two brilliant double saves at the weekend in Spain and Julian Cuesta seemed to channel the Barcelona keeper’s exploits on Sunday. Cuesta made one of the saves of the season midway through the first half when he saved from Prijovic and then got up to produced another fantastic diving stop on Pelkas’ follow-up shot.

Team Performance of the Matchday - Panathinaikos

You cannot say enough about this side. AEK were impressive with their football this weekend, while PAOK secured a big win at Aris, and Atromitos kept winning, but Panathinaikos were the team that impressed once again. Many seem to be expecting the Prasini to tail off with all these youngsters playing, but week after week Donis’ team surpass expectations as they did with another fine win this weekend over Panionios.

Surprise of the Matchday - Panetolikos

Traianos Dellas’ men have had an up and down season thus far, but seem to be pulling it together as of late. The fact that they went to PAS Giannina and came away with a 2-0 success shows their improvement, especially away at such a traditionally tough ground to get a result.

Disappointment of the Matchday - Olympiacos

After winning their first four matches, Olympiacos are now winless in their last three after defeat to PAOK, a draw away to AEK, and this weekend a loss to OFI. It was a below par display in Crete for the Erythrolefki. The defeat leaves them six points adrift and already knowing they cannot afford to lose further ground if they are to stay in the conversation for the title.

by George Tsitsonis

Image Source: .gr

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