AEK takes control of title race with win over Olympiacos as PAOK, Panathinaikos draw

AEK has taken a important step towards the Greek Super League title aft a 1–0 victory implicit Olympiacos successful Piraeus, opening up a five-point pb astatine the top of the table.

The win came successful the opening circular of the play-offs (positions 1–4), with AEK capitalising connected a stalemate earlier successful the time betwixt PAOK and Panathinaikos successful Thessaloniki.

Aboubakari Koita’s aboriginal strike proved decisive astatine the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, with the Mauritanian guardant scoring conscionable 5 minutes into the match. After Roberto Pereyra won possession successful midfield and surged forward, the shot yet fell to Koita, who finished clinically to springiness AEK the lead.

Olympiacos struggled to respond, with their champion first-half accidental coming successful the 21st infinitesimal when Ayoub El Kaabi’s effort drifted conscionable wide. The hosts failed to physique sustained pressure, drafting vexation from supporters earlier the break.

As the lucifer wore on, AEK remained compact and disciplined, absorbing unit and limiting wide chances. The contention appeared settled until heavy into stoppage time, when Youssouf Yazici recovered the nett for Olympiacos. However, the extremity was ruled retired pursuing a VAR review, with Lorenzo Pirola deemed offside and interfering with play.

The effect marks AEK’s archetypal league win implicit Olympiacos successful two years and sees them determination to 63 points, up of some Olympiacos and PAOK connected 58.

In the adjacent round, AEK will big PAOK successful Nea Filadelfeia, while Olympiacos faces Panathinaikos successful different important derby.

Goalless gully successful Toumba leaves some sides frustrated

Earlier, PAOK and Panathinaikos played retired a 0–0 gully successful a tense but mostly uneventful clash astatine Toumba Stadium.

Chances were constricted throughout, with some sides cancelling each different retired tactically. PAOK threatened archetypal done Abdul Rahman Baba, whose aboriginal header went implicit the bar, but neither broadside managed to make clear-cut opportunities.

The lucifer was marked by interruptions and carnal contests alternatively than attacking quality, with the scoreline reflecting the deficiency of decisive moments.

The 2nd fractional offered slightly much intent, with Panathinaikos goalkeeper Alban Lafont producing a strong prevention to contradict Alexander Jeremejeff. At the different end, Tin Jedvaj came closest to breaking the deadlock, his deflected effort narrowly missing the post.

Despite precocious attempts from some sides, including a header from Karol Swiderski, neither team could find a breakthrough.

The effect leaves PAOK connected 58 points and Panathinaikos connected 50, with some sides facing expanding unit arsenic the title contention intensifies.