Mehdi Taremi’s well-timed penalty in the 16th minute of stoppage time set up a 1-1 final for Olympiakos in the big derby of the 19th matchday of the Super League with AEK at “Allwyn Arena”, “patting” Barnabas Varga’s goal from the 59th minute and kept the “red and whites” (who have one game less) within two points of the top. PAOK is now -1 from the penthouse – with one match less – than the pioneer AEK. A crossbar in the 68th minute by Pinedas, great and decisive interventions by Thomas Strakosias in both halves.
AEK had the first chance of the match only in the 3rd minute when Relvas took the first header from a corner kick that stopped in the bodies and then Zini made a turn over the posts.
Olympiacos started to increase “turns” with its “weapon” pressing high and in the 19th minute Ortega turned the ball to the second goal post where Rodinei came with power and scored at once, but Strakosia made an amazing intervention and kept the “nil” at home. AEK “answered” with another finish from Zini, who turned his body and scored, but Tzolakis had a good position, to follow another very good moment with Taremi in the 39′ who took the shot by himself from inside the area, but his effort was blocked by Relvas.
In the second half Olympiacos had the first good chance with Taremi’s header which was blocked by Strakosia, while in the 59th minute came the goal for AEK. In execution of Marin’s corner from the right, the Hungarian forward escaped from the markers, took the header, with the ball popping and going past the left hand of Tzolakis for the “yellow and black” 1-0.
With a boosted morale from 1-0, AEK “touched” the second goal in the 68th minute. In a static phase, Vaerga took the header towards Jovic who touched the ball and went to pass it over Tzolakis who saved, to be followed by the second attempt of Pinedas who “marked” the crossbar.
In the 4th minute of stoppage time a cross from Bruno and a first header from Andre Luis saw the promoted Biancone pull one back, but Strakosia again said no, keeping the win for his side to the end. At 90’+11′, Andre Luis found himself on the ground after claiming the ball with Mukudi, with Strakosia then repelling Yazizi’s shot. Referee Danny Makeli was called by VAR for an on field review and a little later he awarded a penalty in favor of Olympiakos, which Taremi converted into a goal, “sealing” the final 1-1 at 90’+16′.
Referee: Danny Makeli (Netherlands)
Yellows: 82′ Coita, 90’+2′ Marin, 90’+3′ Mukudi – 20′ Costinia, 53′ Ese, 61′ Podense, 68′ Taremi, 90’+15′ Retsos
AEK (Marko Nikolic): Strakosia, Rota, Mukudi, Relvas, Pelios, Marin, Pineda, Ljubicic (46′ Koita), Gacinovic (75′ Joao Mario), Zini (56′ Varga), Jovic (85′ Kutesa).
OLYMPIC (Jose Luis Mendiliber): Tzolakis, Costinia (71′ Gelson Martins), Retsos, Biancon, Ortega (90’+2′ Bruno), Scipioni (84′ Mouzakitis), Ese, Ciquinho (71′ Andre Luis), Rodiney, Pontense (84′ Yazizi), Taremi.