Trademark “Fighting Soul” Prevails
AGONAsport’s Panathinaikos contributor, Nick Tsambouniaris, reflects on the Trifylli’s memorable comeback derby win over AEK and praises the “fighting soul” on display.
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Panathinaikos means “fighting soul” - this trademark saying describing all aspects of the club shone through on Sunday evening at OAKA in one of the most thrilling derbies in Greek football in recent times. A passionate, industrious, and hard-working Panathinaikos stunned Athenian rivals AEK by winning 3-2 after trailing by two goals. The football on display was exhilarating, to say the least, and the comeback only makes the whole spectacle better.
The Greens dominated proceedings early on, without troubling opposition goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, but found themselves behind after a great finish by AEK right back Michalis Bakakis. The goal lifted the Enosi but the game was still played on the Greens’ terms. Despite this, AEK doubled their lead through the in-form Nelson Oliveira after sloppy defending from a corner.
AEK took this 2-0 lead against the run of play to the sheds at half time, but what happened in the second half was truly remarkable and will not be forgotten by Panathinaikos fans for a long time. While AEK boss Nikos Kostenoglou is correct when he stated his team “had enough chances to be winning by 3 or 4 goals,” this did not happen. Marko Livaja hit the post after being put through on goal but Panathinaikos capitalised.
Federico Macheda started the comeback after a brilliant solo goal, dribbling a good 20 metres before expertly finishing into the bottom right corner with his weaker left foot. The Italian marksman has now found his feet after scoring twice in the last two games against PAOK and AEK and looks to have shaken off his early season injury woes.
Flares were lit around a decent sized OAKA crowd as hope began to rise. Merely a few minutes later, Juan Jose Perea was in the right place at the right time to meet Tasos Chatzigiovanis’ low cross. The young Colombian has been a steal for the Trifylli and his first goal for the club surely gives Giorgos Donis a genuine selection headache - the current system has worked wonders so far for the now full strength Greens but in the coming weeks, they will face weaker opponents who may look to sit deeper. Playing two strikers up front may cause more issues for opposing defences. Perea’s passion also resonates well with the notoriously passionate Panathinaikos fans.
However, in saying that, Chatzigiovanis has emerged as the team’s talisman on the wing. The youngster has taken his game to a new level after signing a new deal and regaining his place in the squad. As a result, Donis may not want to make alterations not to hurt the team’s balance. Panathinaikos controlled the midfield battle and ultimately that is where the game was won (the performances of Dimitris Kourbelis and Giannis Bouzoukis cannot go unnoticed).
With the scores level at 2-2, both sides spurned good chances. Mattias Johansson missed from close range, before Giorgos Giakoumakis failed to beat Sokratis Dioudis. The Panathinaikos goalkeeper has stepped up his game in the last two weeks, with his saves hugely contributing to the four points the team has picked up from consecutive derbies.
Substitute Dimtiris Kolovetsios emerged as the unlikely hero as his 87th minute match-winning header flew into the net and sparked scenes not observed at Panathinaikos games in a while. While the player refused to celebrate against his former club, his teammates mobbed him and the fans could not believe what they had just seen.
This outpouring of emotion and passion spilled over beyond the full time whistle. Panathinaikos players fell to the floor after a pulsating 3-2 derby win, fans kept chanting, and the togetherness between fans and players was great to see. Tears also flowed from the Panathinaikos bench as the banned Giorgos Donis watched on from the stands. The coach made a great point post-game stating that “these scenes were reminiscent of the old glory days at Panathinaikos” and the fans “played their part in the win.'' As a former player, he knows how to motivate his troops when the big derbies come around.
The Trifylli’s season has genuinely kicked off now and the team can begin to look up the ladder, however, managing complacency will be pivotal. The Greens have picked up a respectable five points from the trio of derbies against Olympiacos, PAOK, and AEK, and have played good football along the way. The issue has been keeping the intensity levels high against all opponents. Moving forward, the team has found its rhythm and cannot underestimate the opposition as the next five games have the potential to define the club’s season after the final international break of the 2019 calendar year.
In the meantime, fans will reflect on Sunday’s result with pure joy and can hold onto the fact that no matter how bleak the off-field situation looks, the players will always possess that customary “fighting soul” that has defined the club’s identity over the years.
Form goes out the window in derbies and passion prevails - the Greens simply wanted it more and that win was for the coach!
