Having the Swede striker scoring at least one goal in each one of the last five consecutive games for the championship, the “Greens” exploited their superiority breaking Panionios’ resistance and winning 1-0, in the game realized at ” Ap. Nicolaidis” stadium for the 27th match day of Super League’s championship.
Panathinaikos entered the game with strength and limited the team of Panionios into its box, trying to create chances to open the score and change the equilibrium of the duel. The first twenty minutes were spent with this idea, though the 0-0 score remained as such because of the hosting team’s inexpediency. A shoot of Villafañes in the 17th minute that hit the post and a disallowed correct penalty by Risvanis over Berg, a minute later, were the most obvious reasons. Later the rhythm of the game slowed down, as Panionios found a defensive equilibrium and closed the corridors backwards. Panathinaikos was not threatened at all and enjoyed ball possession, limiting its guests in their own side of the pitch!
In the beginning of the second period Panathinaikos was obliged to proceed to the substitution of Lod who got injured; Reis entered the pitch replacing him. The “Greens” continued to control the game trying to find ways to “infiltrate” the box of Panionios, which was playing defensively without threatening at all. After the 60th minute, pressure increased and the entrance of Leto in the pitch gave the opportunity to the “Shamrock” to get much easily into the opponent’s box. In one of these opportunities the Argentinean was overthrown by Tassoulis and the referee whistled a penalty which was successfully shot by Berg who gave the lead to Panathinaikos, sealing the third consecutive victory of the team, which reached Panionios in the championship’s scoreboard with 51 points. .
Lineups:
Panathinaikos:Vlachodimos Od., Coulibaly, Koutroumbis, Moledo, Hult, Lod (46′ Reis), Kourbelis, Villafañes, Mpoku (65′ Leto), Klonaridis (75′ Vlachodimos P.), Berg.
Panionios:Yianniotis, Vlachos, Risvanis, Economou, Tassoulis, Siopis, Korbos, Massouras (87′ Savvidis), Ben, Massoud, Yecil (65′ Lambrou).