The Piraeus giants have kept their slight premiership hopes alive after recording a crucial victory against PAOK, with the result helping AEK go outright first on the ladder.
Olympiacos defeated the Thessaloniki side 2-1 at “Karaiskakis” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the sixth round of the Greek Super League play-offs, moving within one point of the “black-whites” in the process.
The “red-whites” were first to score through defender Quini, who knocked in the rebound after teammate Dnaiel Podence had his penalty saved by goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski (27’).
Olympiacos then managed to grab a second just after the hour mark via a strike from winger Gelson Martins (61’), which proved to be the winner after PAOK found an injury time goal through midfielder Marcos Antonio (90+3’).
The result means that AEK has moved into outright first, even with PAOK having a game in hand, after they managed to beat Aris 1-2 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground.
The hosts opened the scoring in the 36th minute via marksman Loren Moron, whose shot was found to have just crossed the goal line after a VAR check.
Enosi cancelled it out shortly after the break through right back Djibril Sidibe (49’) before managing to take the lead themselves in the 84th minute, thanks to a goal from winger Nordin Amrabat.
Panathinaikos has maintained their one-point gap behind AEK by smashing Lamia 0-5 at “Athanasios Diakos” ground.
The Greens grabbed their first goal in the 23rd minute, thanks to a tap-in from winger Benjamin Verbic following a shot by Dimitris Limnios that deflected off the left post.
The “Trifylli” then made it two just before the break via a composed finish by playmaker Anastasios Bakasetas into the bottom left (44’).
Striker Fotis Ioannidis, who played a big role in the first two goals, then grabbed one of his own with a corner header (54’).
This was the start of a quick flurry of goals as Bakasetas found the back of the net again (57’) before Ioannidis finished the ball into the bottom left on the hour mark.
Panserraikos sealed a 2-1 win against Giannina on Sunday evening in the fifth round of the play-outs, delivering a further blow to the Epirutans after they were mathematically relegated following the earlier results in the matchday.
The Serres club went ahead after a wonderful long range shot from winger Mathias Tomas in the 29th minute before teammate Amr Warda struck his penalty into the top right (45+4’).
Giannina captain Pedro Condre gave his club a chance of getting back into the clash after converting a spot-kick of his own into the bottom right (65’), though that would ultimately prove the final decisive moment of the match.
Panserraikos mathematically guaranteed their stay in the top division for next season with this result, giving their fans a massive achievement to celebrate.
Panetolikos earned a vital 0-1 away success over Asteras Tripolis on Sunday morning in the fifth round of the play-outs to keep away from the relegation zone.
The Agrinio side took the lead in the 31st minute through a goal from striker Sergio Diaz before substitute made it two with a strike in the second half (67’).
The result took them to 11th place on the ladder, ascending past Volos after they lost 2-1 away to OFI.
The Cretans were led to victory chiefly by midfielder Jon Toral, who scored once either side of half time (28’, 49’) to give his team a two-goal advantage.
The Magnesia outfit halved the deficit late into the contest after an own goal from defender Vasilis Lampropoulos (90+1’), though ultimately fell as OFI went equal on the ladder with Asteras Tripolis and Atromitos on 34 points.
Kifisia fought hard to earn a 1-2 away triumph against the Peristeriotes to move just one point away from safety.
Atromitos struck first in the 16th minute via midfielder Aguibou Camara to take the lead in the match.
Kifisia managed to bring it level in the second half after an own goal by Atromitos winger Diego Valencia (64’) before going in front just three minutes later through a strike from winger Mateus Santos.
The visitors (currently 13th) now sit one point away from their nearest relegation rival, Volos, with two rounds left to fight their way out of the bottom two and remain in the top flight.
Greek Super League Ladder (game in hand)
Championship Group
1-AEK: 72
2-Panathinaikos: 71
3-PAOK: 67 (31)
4-Olympiacos: 66 (31)
5-Aris: 48
6-Lamia: 34
Relegation Group
1-Panserraikos: 35
2-Asteras Tripolis: 34
3-Atromitos: 34
4-OFI: 34
5-Panetolikos: 30
6-Volos: 29
7-Kifisia: 28
8-Giannina: 19
