Slick AEK dominate in Volos
SUPER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 20
A slick AEK side comfortably defeated Volos NFC 3-1 on the road to gain more momentum in the Super League regular season.
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Under the leadership of Italian coach Massimo Carrera, AEK have gradually been improving following a rough first half of the campaign, and the Enosis produced a slick performance in Volos to deservedly defeat the hosts 3-1 and pick up their second successive win in the Super League after beating AE Larissa at the weekend.
In the first half, two goals from Marios Oikonomou and Christos Almpanis firmly put AEK in the box seat, before Viktor Klonaridis grabbed his first of the season to secure the three points in the 52nd minute. With one minute remaining in regulation time, Iker Guarrotxena did get Volos on the board, but it made little difference to the overall outcome.
Portuguese forward Nelson Oliveira, heavily linked with a transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers, was left on the AEK bench by Carrera.
Following this win, AEK hold a nine-point advantage over fourth-placed Panathinaikos, but the latter can reduce the deficit to six points if they defeat Atromitos later on this evening. Volos sit in 11th spot of the table.
On Sunday, AEK will aim to finally snap their miserable winless run in derbies when hosting league leaders Olympiacos at the Olympic Stadium, while Volos travel to reigning champions PAOK.
THE MATCH
AEK, making a purposeful, energetic start at the Panthessaliko Stadium, quickly made the breakthrough in the ninth minute of play.
Completely unmarked inside the box, Oikonomou connected with Helder Lopes’ corner, planting a firm header beyond the desperate dive of Athanasios Garavelis.
The Kitrinomavri, playing good attacking football as they used the wings effectively, doubled their advantage in the 25th minute.
Collecting a stray pass from an opponent in the area, Almpanis controlled the ball and slid his effort under the goalkeeper. Vasilis Barkas had started the attack with an accurate clearance.
Not long later, AEK thought they should have had a penalty when Damian Szymanski fell to the floor, but the referee waved play on after analysing the video assistant referee system. Almpanis then came close to a third as his powerful attempt was tipped over by Garavelis.
AEK would, though, grab their third goal in the early stages of the second half.
Once again, Lopes was the provider, as his low cross was tipped in at point blank range by Klonaridis. The speedy 27-year-old has previously been plagued by injuries this season.
Dominating proceedings, AEK continued creating several chances with Szymanski pulling the strings in midfield, and the impressive Almpanis had his second goal of the day ruled out for offside.
Almpanis and Andre Simoes subsequently missed great chances as the Athenians created opportunities at will.
However, Volos finished the game on the front foot, as Guarrotxena beat Barkas with a bullet header. The same player almost registered a second for Volos moments later, but his volley was palmed away by Barkas.
THE TEAMS
Volos NFC: Garavelis, Dimopoulos, Diamantakis, Cadamuro (Oikonomou 26’), Ferrari, Muniz, Tsokanis, Dentakis, Guarrotxena, Balogiannis, Joao (Torres 46’).
AEK: Barkas, Lopes, Svarnas, Oikonomou, Vranjes (Vasilantonopoulos 81’), Bakakis, Simoes, Sabanadzovic, Szymanski (Botos 79’), Klonaridis (Deletic 61’), Almpanis.
HIGHLIGHTS
