SLGR Standings: PAOK within a point of securing second
PAOK are within a point of clinching second position of the 2019/2020 Super League playoffs after earning a crucial draw at AEK, while Olympiacos and Panathinaikos both emerged victorious in their respective matches.
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The Dikefalos tou Vorra are almost there now. On Wednesday evening, PAOK produced a resilient performance at the Olympic Stadium against AEK, holding their opponents to a 0-0 draw which keeps the 2018/2019 champions three points ahead of the Kitrinomavri in second place. PAOK now only require a point at the weekend against Aris at home to secure second and earn a berth in the second qualifying round of the 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League.
AEK must beat Olympiacos in Piraeus and hope that PAOK lose to Aris. Any other outcome will see PAOK seal second spot.
In Heraklion, a much-changed Olympiacos team proved too strong for OFI, emerging victorious by a score of 3-1 with Kostas Fortounis - twice - and Lazar Randjelovic hitting the target. Despite the fact that they had already been crowned champions, Olympiacos were ruffled by losing their lengthy unbeaten run to PAOK on Sunday, but they regained confidence with their Cretan triumph. Panagiotis Deligiannidis grabbed a late consolation for sixth-placed Aris.
Over in Thessaloniki, Panathinaikos registered only their second victory of the playoffs, as Dimitris Kolovos’ second-half header deservedly defeated Aris 1-0 at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. Panathinaikos boast a large 14-point over Aris in fourth who are destined to end the campaign in fifth place.
2019/2020 Super League playoff standings:
Player of the Week: Alexandros Paschalakis (PAOK)
In truth, it was a somewhat underwhelming display from AEK given the circumstances, but Paschalakis still had a few tough saves to make for PAOK. Showing alert reactions, the talented 30-year-old denied Petros Mantalos and Daniele Verde with superb stops, consequently taking PAOK one step closer to Champions League football.
Goal of the Week: Kostas Fortounis (Olympiacos)
The gifted attacking midfielder is rapidly getting back to his best. When scoring his second goal against OFI, Fortounis latched onto a pinpoint pass from Youssef El Arabi, before cutting to a shooting position and whipping an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
