Kenziora… alienated AEK and kept PAOK at the top!

The… ball sat in the middle and PAOK – by alienating AEK in the final – remained at the top!

tie (1-1) the derby of the “double-headers” in Tubaas part of the 22nd matchday of the Stoiximan Super League.

The Greek doubles were superior after the first quarter and opened the scoring at 47′ by Eliassonafter some terrible balls from Pineda and an assist from Garcia.

However, they paid for their relative backsliding in the final stretch of the match. The “two-headed one of the North” at the same time had started to charge and after warning with the beam of Despodov (81′), equalized at 89′ through his head Kenjiora after a Tyson foul.

Thus, PAOK remained at the top with 51 points and at +2 from the 3rd now AEK (49b.) who saw him Panathinaikos (50b.) to pass it again.

It should be noted that the “Union” will complete its normal duration the only undefeated in the “Big 4” derbies (which will also apply at the “Big 5” level if he does not miss the last matchday at “Kl. Vikelidis”). At the same time, they have five wins and two draws in the seven games they have played against Rasvan Lucescu’s team with Matias Almeida on their bench.

Yoni Otto made his debut with the “black and white”, with the Spanish full-back entering the match in the 75th minute.

In… the minds of the coaches:

THE Rasvan Lucescu lined up PAOK with a system 4-2-3-1 and Kotarski under the rafters. The defensive quartet consisted, from right to left, of Sastre, Kenziora, Koulierakis and Bamba. Midfield duo Meite and Ozdoev, with Zivkovic starting on the right end of the midfield line, Tyson on the left, while Murk was selected for the “ten”, being behind Samata.

The unexpected happened with Yiannis Constantelias. The 20-year-old was destined to get a starting jersey, however, in the last hours before the match, he developed a fever and was left out of the starting lineup. Nevertheless, the young Greek midfielder followed suit and was on the bench of Thessaloniki, making a change.

On his part, Mr Matias Almeida keep it 4-4-1-1 for AEK. Stankovic was at home, with Rota on the right edge of defense and Pelios on the left, while Vida and Cullens made up the duo in the center of defense. Jonson was flanked by Pineda, with Eliasson on the right of midfield and Gacinovic on the left. Zuber was moving a little further behind Garcia.

It should be noted that Mukudi and Fernandes were left out of the assignment for “Union”.. The Cameroonian stopper was unprepared, while the Spanish midfielder was feeling discomfort.

The match:

PAOK chose to press very high in the first quarter making it difficult for the “yellow and black” to develop, while when he had the ball he kept it and moved it around. For its part, AEK was positioned at lower levels, essentially in the center of the field (as in the away match against Brighton), looking for the offensive transition.

However, there was no phase, with the home team getting close to the threat through static phases, such as the foul in the 13th minute, when Koulierakis did not make good contact after Zivkovic’s execution.

To arrive in the 15′ phasewhich seems to have played important role in the subsequent approach of PAOK. And this because the Thessalonians found out firsthand what are the risks of pushing AEK so high, in the event that Matias Almeida’s team breaks this pressing and counterattacks, as the “yellow and black” did. Of course, despite the extraordinary manifestation of the counterattack, Mr Pelion saw him Koulierakis to drive for a corner on the turn he caught.

Since then, the picture has changed drastically. AEK was now the one holding the ball (the percentage in their favor in possession reached 61% in the first half) and pressing high, moving the game into PAOK’s half. Yes, it seems so the “two-headed man of the North” was worried, then chose to stay quite low on the pitch.

AEK threatened in the 33rd minute with Garcia’s direct foul. In the 40′he created the biggest phase up to that point, with Gacinovic to cross meters from the left, step into the area, but without catching a good spot.

The efforts of Ozdoev (41′) and Cullens (42′) did not yield anything. As is his phase 45′ essentially created by his wrong choice Pineda to shoot (while he had passing options in PAOK’s area). However, the Mexican midfielder, who was helping a lot (also) with his vertical drives, corrected his mistake himself. In one more good return of the “Union” who faced PAOK’s transition the few times he let him express it. Stankovic put a “stop” on his shot as well Meite in the 45’+1′with the first half ending scoreless.

The second half started without changes, but with AEK coming in… hot, finding a goal just in the 47′! THE Pineda saw his movement Garcia into the area, finding him with an excellent ball, with the 26-year-old forward turning into the area at Eliasson who with place sent the ball into the net for the 0-1.

AEK continued to control the tempo. However, he saw PAOK create a great opportunity in the 56′when after a foul the ball was placed on Samata inside the “Union” area, with the home team’s forward’s shot being very bad.

Rasvan Lucescu shuffled the deck in the 59th minute, replacing Murg with Despodov, who went right, with Zivkovic moving to the left and Tyson on the axis.

Little by little, PAOK started to increase their pressure to find the equalizing goal. As the minutes passed, he gained yards, in contrast to AEK, creating important conditions for the goal. Yes, in 81′ missed a huge opportunity, with him Despodov to lower and shoot, but seeing the ball hit to the right beam of Stankovic’s hearth!

Almeida tried to give his team an extra boost through his moves from the bench. Specifically, through the gradual changes, AEK in the final played with Pineda in the role of right back, in the center with Ljubisic and Jonson, on the left end of the midfield line with Araujo, on the right with Zini and with Mandalo next to Ponce.

But instead, the Argentinian coach saw the hosts find the solution by equalizing at 89′ through a stationary phasewhich they are finally hurting AEK enough:O Tyson performed sweetly, o Kenjiora came out powerfully and took the header, sending the ball into the net for the 1-1.

This was also the final score, despite the efforts of both teams for the winning goal.

Watch the match live here.

MVP: The distinction will go to Pineda. By far the best player on the pitch. Apart from the terrible ball that led to the goal phase, the quality Mexican midfielder helped with his vertical movements, with his carrying of the ball, his recoveries, his returns.

The whistle: Very good refereeing by Aliyar Agayev. The first yellow card for Vida is correct, the decision would be very strict if he was given a second one in a phase where the home team protested. The Thessalonikians also called for a penalty from Zini, however the ball has not found the hand of the Angolan ace.

The compositions of the two teams:

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski – Sastre (76′ Otto), Kenziora, Koulierakis, Baba – Meite, Ozdoev (76′ Schwab) – A. Zivkovic (72′ Konstantelias), Murg (59′ Despodov), Tyson – Samata (76′ Thomas).

On the bench for the “black and white” were: Z. Zivkovic, Nasberg, Tsingaras, Marcos Antonio.

AEK (Matias Almeida): Stankovic – Rota (82′ Ljubisic), Vida, Cullens, Pelios – Eliasson (72′ Mandalos), Jonson, Pineda, Gacinovic (82′ Zini) – Garcia (75′ Ponce), Zuber (82′ Araujo).

On the bench for the “yellow and black” were: Athanasiadis, Mitoglou, Sidibe, Pissarro.

Referee: Aliyar Agayev (Azerbaijan)

First Assistant: Zeinal Zeynalov

Second Assistant: Akif Emirali

4th referee: Aristotle Diamantopoulos

VAR: Yeltsin Masiyev

AVAR: Reinhard Buxbaum