SLGR Standings: AEK miss golden opportunity

AEK missed a golden opportunity to move above PAOK into second place of the Super League playoffs, while Panionios boosted their survival hopes with a crucial win in the playouts.

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PLAYOFFS

Olympiacos can begin preparing their champagne bottles for the title party. Overwhelming favourites for the title, the Erythrolefki opened up a huge 17-point lead in first position on Sunday evening, clinching a 1-0 triumph over PAOK in Thessaloniki thanks to Youssef El Arabi’s 18th goal of the campaign. 

As a consequence of PAOK’s defeat, AEK were presented with an ideal chance to move into second spot of the standings, but the Enosi were held to a frustrating 1-1 derby draw by Panathinaikos at the Olympic Stadium. Desperately poor throughout the game, AEK fell behind to Federico Macheda’s effort from close range in the 65th minute, and Massimo Carrera’s stuttering troops found themselves staring defeat in the face. Nevertheless, with 15 minutes remaining, Marko Livaja produced a moment of brilliance to salvage a potentially important point. AEK are now level on points with PAOK in the race for UEFA Champions League football.

On Saturday, Aris had got the playoff party started with a thrilling 3-1 victory against OFI, recovering from an early setback to emerge victorious at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. Initially, Vajebah Sakor handed OFI a deserved lead in the first half, but Bruno Gama snatched an equaliser in the 42nd minute. In the second half, the same player put Aris in the driving seat with a fantastic free kick, before Mihaly Korhut secured the win with a powerful drive. Aris now sit in fifth of the playoff table, three points above their Cretan opponents.

2019/2020 Super League playoff standings:

PLAYOUTS

There is still life in Panionios. Producing a gritty performance in Nea Smyrni, the Panthers earned a vital 1-0 victory against Volos NFC on Saturday afternoon, with Sotiris Tsiloulis scoring the only goal of the game in the 57th minute of play. As a result of their win, Panionios are now only three points behind 13th-placed Panetolikos, who contrived to concede a 2-0 defeat to Lamia on Monday. Leonardo Villalba and Miguel Bianconi netted the goals for Lamia to take the club up to third place of the playouts.

Volos are 10 points ahead of Panetolikos.

In Larissa, AEL made the breakthrough against Asteras Tripolis when Radomir Milosavljevic headed past the stricken goalkeeper, but Jeronimo Barrales equalised for the visitors from the penalty spot. Marc Fernandez then gifted Asteras the win in the second half with a gorgeous free kick.

At the moment, Asteras are leading the playouts with 33 points, but Atromitos do have a game in hand. AEL are three points behind the Tripoli-based outfit.

The match between Xanthi and Atromitos was indefinitely postponed as a consequence of coronavirus fears.

2019/2020 Super League playout standings:

Player of the Week: Bruno Gama (Aris)

The Portuguese attacker was inspirational for Aris against OFI. Towards the end of the first half, Gama smashed an unstoppable shot beyond the goalkeeper to draw Aris level, but his second goal was even better as his pinpoint free kick crashed into the net with the help of the right post. A memorable night for the 32-year-old.

Goal of the Week: Luis Fernandez (Asteras Tripolis)

What a way to win a game. Taking aim from range, Fernandez gave Ogmundur Kristinsson no chance with his free kick, whipping a stunning attempt high into the left corner of the net with 55 minutes on the clock at the AEL FC Arena. 

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