Xanthi fight back to overcome PAS Giannina

GREEK SUPERLEAGUE - MATCHDAY 8

Xanthi recorded a third win in succession on Monday as they came from behind to see off PAS Giannina 2-1 at the Xanthi FC Arena to continue their climb up the SuperLeague standings.

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Giorgos Mystakidis gave visitors PAS a first half lead with a goal after 21 minutes, but Milan Rastavac’s home side battled back in the second half and claimed the three points thanks to goals from Brito and Erik Jedrisek.

The result was rough justice on struggling PAS, who put in a solid display but once again went home empty-handed and they remain down in 13th place with just six points collected from eight matches.

For Xanthi, things are looking brighter, with the result moving them on to 15 points, just five points behind leaders Atromitos.

The win did not look so likely following a first half in which Giannis Petrakis’ Giannina side were more than a match for their opponents from Northern Greece.

Just two minutes after PAS striker Stefanos Athanasiadis hit the bar with a header, Mystakidis, who is on loan from PAOK, found the back of the net.

The 23-year-old former Greece Under-21 international rose highest to head home from a precise Enes Dolovac cross as the visitors were rewarded for their enterprising play in the first half.

Xanthi played their way back into the game after the break, however, and the home side finally got a lucky break after 64 minutes when PAS goalkeeper Markos Vellidis made a terrible error of judgement to try and come to collect a Petar Đuričković.

Vellidis was caught in no man’s land which left Brito with the simple task of heading into an empty net.

The goal was a huge confidence boost for the home side while it saw heads go down on the opposite end of the pitch, and it seemed only a matter of time before Xanthi would get a second goal.

And it duly came 13 minutes from time when Dimos Baxevanidis’ cross was converted by prolific 32-year-old Slovak striker Jedrisek from close range.

HIGHLIGHTS: XANTHI - PAS GIANNINA

by Graham Wood

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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