Steel AEK, passed through Nice and continues the… hunt!

He returned to victories and continues the … hunt AEK, which left with the “three point” (0-1) from its difficult seat Ionian in the context of the 14th game of Super League 1.

In fact, he did it defending its home for a fourth consecutive game (along with the Cup match) and for the second consecutive away match, something that is also aimed at by its coach, Argyris Giannikis. Her winning goal came from an exceptional team effort at 21′, with the scorer Latch to participate in the tenth goal of his team this year (3 goals / 7 assists) and him Michelin to make his first assist with the yellow and blacks.

In 30 points and to -8 from the champion Olympiakos the 2nd AEK, with Ionikos remaining in 10th place (14b.), In +7 from the tail of Apollo of Smyrna (two games less) and in +5 from the penultimate Atromitos.

In the… minds of coaches:

THE Dimitris Spanos kept it 5-3-2 and Houtesiotis under the beams. Gotsulias was selected at the right end of the defense, with Valeriano on the opposite side. The trio of stoppers consisted of Vafeas, Tsigrinski and Sanchez. Kanias started as a six, with Kiako and Dalsio in front of him as internal midfielders. Aosman and Lenis were the attacking duo.

On the other hand, o Argyris Giannikis kept it 4-2-3-1, with Tsintotas remaining in the hearth. In the defense, from right to left, started Michelen, Vranies, Tzavellas and Hadjisafi. On Simanski’s side in the midfield, instead of the punished Simoes, Le Talek was chosen, with Mandalo moving in front of them. At the right end of the attack was Amrabat, at the left Chuber, while at the top of the attack Araujo.

It is reminded that the “blue and whites” did not count on the punished Ρομαό (was sent off against Panetolikos) and Fly (fill in cards) and the injured Thuram, Delgado and Knife.

On the other hand, the “Union” did not have the injured at its disposal Mohammadi, Stankovic and Galanopoulos, as well as the punished Simoes. On the contrary, Livai Garcia was considered normal, while Karim Ansarifard also returned, after his adventure with the coronavirus.

The match:

AEK took the initiative of the moves from the first minutes of the match. However, Argyris Giannikis’s team had a hard time breaking through the “fortified” center of Ionikos, trying to get the ball to the ends.

Dimitris Spanos’s players were based on their well-functioning defensive function, trying to steal the ball and come out quickly against the opponent. In fact, they created relevant situations in the beginning, but without being able to complete them.

To get to 21st minute, when the “Union” -on its first big opportunity in the game- managed to find nets. In order for this to happen, however, it needed its wonderful vertical Amrabat who opened the opponent’s defense, watching his ascent Michelin, who with a very nice break found him Latch at the height of the penalty. The captain of AEK caught a one-piece strong shot with the left, sending the ball into the net for 0-1. In a wonderful group action by the guests.

The “yellow-blacks” tried to take advantage of their momentum, initially threatening with Chuber in 26′. Towards the end of the first half they increased their pressure for good, having significant opportunities with their four-on-four Chuber in the 38′ (great repulse of Houtesiotis) and in first minute of delays with his head Javelin, after a corner kick. For their part, the hosts fell after the goal they conceded, threatening with his volley Kanias in the 32′.

Ionikos entered the second half with clearly more aggressive dispositions. The Nice team mainly threatened me long shots (46 ‘Lenis, 48’ Aosman, 54 ‘Kiakos), with AEK responding in between with their counterpart Araouchos in 51’.

In the 70th minute, Argyris Giannikis threw Garcia and Sachhoff on the field instead of Mandalou and Le Talek, with the “Union” now playing with a midfield trio consisting -from right to left- Garcia, Amrabat and Tsouber. Suddenly, the guests started to create a lot of work on Χουτεσιώτη, who coped with both the four-on-four and his head Araujo in 71 ‘and in 77’, respectively, as well as in his shot Chuber at 72 ‘.

Araούjo had another important moment, with his head turned on 83′ to leave slightly next to the right beam. This was the last phase for the Argentine, with him Ansarifard to replace him and return after his adventure with the coronavirus and AEK to keep the lead in its favor until the last whistle.

MVP: Mandalos achieves the -very nice- winning goal and Michelen brings out an excellent assist. However, the Abrabat is the one who not only unlocks the opponent’s defense with the vertical in the right back of the “Union”, but overall from his feet most cracks were created. Very good performance for Lefteris Houtesiotis and Giannis Kiakos for Ionikos.

The whistle: There were no difficult moments in the match. In Aosman’s fall in the 14th minute, there does not seem to be a violation, the more the ball leaves him. The guests complained that they got few fouls in the second half.

The compositions of the two groups:

Ionikos (Dimitris Spanos, 5-3-2): Houtesiotis – Gotsoulias (66 ‘Matsoukas), Vafeas, Tsigrinski, Sanchez, Valerianos – Kanias (86’ Cabral), Kiakos (66 ‘Manalis), Dalsio – Osman, Lenis.

On the bench for the hosts were left: Anagnostopoulos, Tsirigotis, Moustakis, Konstantinidis, Pogosian, Boneti.

AEK (Argyris Giannikis, 4-2-3-1): Tsintotas – Michelen, Vranies, Tzavellas, Hadjisafi – Simanski, Le Talek (70 ‘Sakhof) – Amrabat (83’ Gevtic), Mandalos (70 ‘Garcia), Chuber (90’ + 2 ‘Mitoglou) – Araujo (Araujo) .

On the bench for the guests were left: Hadjiemmanuel, Rota, Mitai, Tankovic.

Referee: Perrakis

Assistants: Petropoulos, Thanasias

4th Referee: Zampalas

WHERE: Sidiropoulos

Watch here the live of the match.