Piero and Amrabad sent AEK top!

In their own half, AEK scored, gaining a crucial lead. At their best, although they faced threatening situations, Panathinaikos failed to turn their several chances into goals. And since this did not happen, again Piero he found a way, won a penalty in the final and it was done 2-0.

This sums up the big OPAP Arena derby, where the “Join” took advantage of its very sluggish first part “clover” and the guests, as in Toumba, although they produced a reaction, had no effect. The battle of the midfield, the Unai-Tete, the “battles” of Ioannidis and the difference made by Piero.

In the mind of the coaches:

THE Matias Almeida had the biggest issue in the midfielders and solved it with Pineda and Pereira. Strakosa naturally found himself under the posts, with Rota, Vida, Cullens and Pelios in the defensive four from right to left. Szymanski in midfield was assisted by Pereira, with Pineda in a freer role. Eliason and Koita were on the wings and certainly Piero was at the tip of the spear.

THE Diego Alonso he made changes at the right end of the defense, in midfield, but also in midfield. Dragovski was in the goalposts, with Baldock starting on the right in defence, Mladenovic on the left and Jedvaj-Ingasson in the stoppers. Arao and Maksimovic were in midfield, Djuricic took the starting jersey after the two goals against Panserraikos, Tete and Unai helped Ioannidis up front.

The match:

On the one hand Arao-Maximovich and Unai. On the other hand Shimansky with Pereira and Pineda. This battle made a big difference in the OPAP Arena derby. Panathinaikos tried to get used to the conditions and facts of the big match, while AEK ran, had the initiative, pressed and thought about how to create phases. That thought didn’t translate into big chances in front of his goal Dragovskibut when the great moment came, Pierrot knew how not to let it get away from him.

THE Fotis Ioannidis he messed with Vida -mainly- and Cullens, Djuricic had started with… fury and from the left he proved why he won the starting shirt from Alonso, but in midfield the thing stuck a lot for the “greens”. And as long as Arao and Maksimovic couldn’t find ways to control, AEK kept up the pressure and tension. And in the 30th minute a cross from him Rota from the right he found… mighty Piero exactly where it needed to be for the ferocious striker to score and make it 1-0.

Unai was out of the mood, o Tete isolated on the right, Ioannidis had no supplies if he did not take it upon himself. The first, but excellent moment for the “greens”, was Jedvai’s header in the 39th minute, with Strakosa saving it…

The rest helped him Panathinaikos. He cut off AEK’s lead and the confidence he had after the goal he scored. And it was obvious and necessary for the “clover” to keep the ball. And to put in their match Tete and Unai. And with such simple steps, the “clover” make phases for a goal, with the Brazilian in 47′ trying for the projection but blocked by Vida and with the Moroccan in 48′ having a good shot.

Tete rushed forward when he realized he could do it to cause an “explosion”, while also trying from the sides, as he did in the 61st minute with magical energy in front of Pelios. As soon as Pellistri and Mancini entered the match, they automatically changed the formation of Panathinaikos, with Tete now helping as a 10-man, while Almeida changed his entire midfield line, with Jonsson playing with Ljubisic and further forward with Mandalo in his last part match.

Within a few seconds, in the 80th minute first a good header by AEK – their strong point – threatened Dragovski’s goalposts, Ioannidis on the opposite side did all the work, but a bad last touch in front of Strakosa and again the goalkeeper of “greens” had to be alert for another threat that went past his left post. OR AEK again from the air he found a way to calm down and lock in the victory, when in the delays from filling to Pieros, the Cherin reach for it handthe ball hit it and Sasha Stegerman, after consulting the on-field review, pointed to the white bullet, from where the Amrabad he did it 2-0.

MVP: He wants no question about the title of the most valuable. Franji Piero. A goal and a penalty won and a constant threat to any defense in the air. Not just for the rear of Panathinaikos.

the “whistle”: Sasha Stegerman knew how to keep control of the match with several cards – although Tete will still be surprised by the one he got – and he didn’t have particularly difficult phases. And he had the right communication with VAR, Vinquiman Guido, to review the penalty phase in the final.

AEK: Strakosa, Rota (87′ Mitoglou), Vida, Cullens, Pelios, Simanski (70′ Ljubisic), Pereira (70′ Mandalos), Pineda (64′ Jonson), Eliasson (88′ Amrabat), Koita, Piero

Panathinaikos: Dragovski, Baldock, Ingason, Jedvaj, Mladenovic, Arau (79′ Cerin), Maksimovic (64′ Pelistri), Unai (79′ Bakasetas), Tete (86′ Geremegev), Djurisic (65′ Mancini), Ioannidis