Ponce… lose him and AEK its job!

At the top with “hot” Ponce AEK and… waits.

The doubles prevailed 3-0 welcoming OFI to OPAP Arena in the framework of the 20th matchday. So, they did their… job, climbed to first place (45b.) and to +1 from PAOK and Panathinaikos, who face off in Toumba at 20:30.

A big star for the “Union” – which was impressive in the first part, throwing turns in the second – the Argentinian forward. The 26-year-old ace having gained confidence from the hat trick of the last match against Atromitos, he still succeeded two goals (28′ and in the 67′ from great ball from Stankovic), reaching seven midway through the season. The… icing on the cake was put by Van Weert in stoppage time (90’+6′).

Very good game from him Rants. The 22-year-old Bosnian started for second time starter with the “yellow and black” at the league level and first since February 7, 2021 in a game with Mars, with his image at least promising.

At 20 points remained o 10th OFIwho now focuses on rematch with Panaitolikos for the Greek Cup, next Wednesday (31/1).

In… the minds of the coaches:

THE Matias Almeida lined her up AEK with system 4-4-1-1starting him Nenant Radonia at the right end of the defense. At home, therefore, was Stankovic, left back Pelios, with Vida and Cullens in the center of the defense. Jonson and Pineda are the center half duo, with Amrabat starting on the right end of the midfield line, Gacinovic on the left and Zuber moving behind Ponce in attack.

It should be noted that, in addition to the rest of her absences, Simanski was also left out for AEK, who will be absent for the next 4-6 weeks (he may return even earlier).

On the other hand, Mr Pepe Mel choose it 4-2-3-1 for OFI. Under the posts was Sotiriou, with Larsson, Lambropoulos, Bressan and Thorarisson forming the defensive four from right to left. Glaser and Gaiegos are twin midfielders, with Bakic in front of them in a more free role. On the right end of the attack, Baku, on the left, Abada and at the top, Felipe.

The match:

The game started with pace and intensity. In the first minutes, the visitors showed a willingness to keep the ball, however very quickly the “yellow and black” took over initiative of movements. Matias Almeida’s team was pushingclassics, high up starting to quickly build her first moments, like the one with Gacinovic in 4′.

Very quickly, AEK started to put them into their game static phases and specifically the corner kick. She had collected such phases that, although they belong to her repertoire, she did not use them today.

THE Rants he converged several times on the axis creating an outnumber, as in 7′ where Pineda passed the ball a little harder to him with a smart bite.

At the same time, AEK kept OFI away from their frames. And when needed, at 15′, o Callens he was the one who put a catalytic “stop” with a nice tackle on Felipe.

As the minutes ticked by, the “Union” began to drown the “black and white”.

In the 18′ the period ended with a shot on his move Pineda from the height of the large area he fought against. While in 21′ AEK created their biggest chance up to that point, with Amrabad to cross well from the right, him Ponce to make an impressive jump and header, but him Sotiriou to drive even more impressively in corners. More generally, the visitors’ goalkeeper kept on several occasions “live” his team.

Two new opportunities for AEK with Poncein the 24′ and to 26′to get to 28′ and the 1-0 phase: O Pelion he stole -catalytically- outside the AEK area and launched his team into a counter attack. “Union” unfolded exceptionally against, with Gacinovic to pass to Cumberhe breaks nicely in position inside right to Ponce, who without thinking executed with his left, sending the ball into the net. Excellent action from Pelios, as of course the counterattack of his team and the execution of the Argentinian forward. The phase was called for a foul of the left back of the “biceps” at the beginning of the phase, but it was correctly established that the cut was clean.

AEK found the goal they deserved and in the next period until the end of the first half, they created even more phases to find a second one. The opportunities of Amrabad (35′), Cumber (37′) indicative, as well as the… other as many and more of the active Gacinovic (38′, 40′ and 41′). Thus, the half ended at 1-0, which was largely unfair to the “yellow and black”.

One change at the start of the second half, with Riera coming on for Abada. The Cretans returned to the pitch very well, being very active.

If AEK quickly created two more moments, with their shots Cumber (51′) and Callens (52′), OFI looked determined not to give up the game. In the 54′after all, he produced his greatest moment in the game up to that point, with Thorarinson to make the turn from the left, the Felipe to catch the projection and him Stankovic to show his reflexes.

OFI was pressing well, with AEK not presenting the image of the first part. However, the quality of the “biceps”, which he had warned in 61′ by Gacinovicspoke again, with the “yellow and black” finding a second goal in the 67′starring again Poncebut also the… Stankovic: Excellent chase-pass by the Austrian goalkeeper, found Ponce outside the OFI area. The Argentinian forward was initially defeated by Sotiriou (he kicked with his chest while on the edge of his area), however the 26-year-old ace took the “rebound” and… hung two defenders, sending the ball into the net.

Then there were a bunch of changes and minimal phases. Until we enter the final stretch. Where OFI threatened bis at 86′ with Diko and Riera, while at 87′ protested against a penalty by Vida without the replay justifying him.

In the 90’+2′ was given penalty kick for AEK in a duel between Meyados and Eliasons, a decision was correctly taken back after an examination in VAR. Despite this, “Union” finally achieved a third goal, as in 90’+6′ Lambropoulos miscalculated, the newcomer Van Weert pressed and stole the ball, placing well to set up the final score.

Watch the match live here.

The whistle: The 1-0 phase was examined for a foul by Pelios at the start, however the left back of AEK has cut cleanly. In the 87th minute, the Cretans called for Vida’s hand and a penalty, but the replay did not justify them. The ball has found the Croatian stopper’s shoulder to chest and knee. In stoppage time, after a VAR review, the penalty decision was reversed in favor of AEK, rightly so as Eliasson was the one who stepped on Meiados. In other words, in the final analysis all the critical decisions were correct.

MVP: With two goals, after the three of the previous match, it is impossible not to go to the award Ponce, who “screams” that he is here for AEK! A very good performance from Radonia in his first appearance in the main squad this year (and second overall in the league with the “two-headed” shirt).

The compositions of the two teams:

AEK (Matias Almeida): Stankovic – Radonia, Vida, Cullens, Pelios – Amrabat (74′ Eliasson), Jonson, Pineda (74′ Mandalos), Gacinovic (74′ Fernandes) – Zuber (74′ Araujo), Ponce (85′ Van Weert).

OFI (Pepe Mel): Sotiriou – Larson, Lambropoulos, Bressan, Thorarinson – Glazer (77′ Meyado), Gayegos – Baku (65′ Diko), Bakics, Abada (46′ Riera) – Felipe (73′ Theodosoulakis).

Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou

First Assistant: Tryfonas Petropoulos

Second Assistant: Andreas Meidanas

4th referee: Alexandros Katsikogiannis

VAR: Vasilios Fotias