A dominant Panathinaikos delivered an outstanding performance, comprehensively beating AEK 2-0 to remain alone at the top of the Stoiximan Super League. Jacob Neestrup’s Greens, who extended their winning streak to six matches, scored twice, hit the woodwork twice and were in complete control of the derby, even after being reduced to ten men.
The Greens made the perfect start to the derby, needing just 33 seconds to take the lead. Andino pressed high up the pitch, dispossessed Rota and set up Tetteh, who unleashed a superb shot from the edge of the penalty area to make it 1-0.
Panathinaikos continued to pose a far greater threat and twice came close to a second goal in the 38th minute. First, Levi García had a shot saved by Brignoli after receiving a pass from Tetteh, before Andino struck the crossbar in the same move. Three minutes later, the Greens hit the woodwork again. After another turnover high up the pitch, Levi García struck first time, but the ball hit the right-hand post and flashed across the face of goal.
AEK threatened through Majer in the 47th minute, but two minutes later it was Panathinaikos who found the net again. Kyriakopoulos played the ball into space for Andino, who cut inside with a superb individual run and applied an excellent finish to make it 2-0.
The visitors threatened in the 64th minute with a shot from Zini, but Pena was alert and produced a superb save.
In the 70th minute, Panathinaikos were reduced to ten men. Kangwa was shown a straight red card following a VAR intervention and an on-field review by the referee. Despite their numerical disadvantage, however, Panathinaikos protected their lead without any major problems until the final whistle, securing a convincing victory in the Athens derby and remaining at the top of the Super League.
Panathinaikos: Iñaki Peña, Davide Calabria, Stefan de Vrij, Rick van Drongelen, Giorgos Kyriakopoulos (71’ Anass Salah-Eddine), Étienne Camara, Kings Kangwa, Levi García (71’ Imrân Louza), Santino Andino, Tetteh (80’ Elmin Rastoder), Cyriel Dessers (57’ Vicente Taborda).
AEK: Alberto Brignoli, Lazaros Rota (46’ Georgi Georgiev), Harold Moukoudi, Filipe Relvas, Stavros Pilios, Lovro Majer (54’ Zini), Milosz Vitális (84’ Dereck Kutesa), Răzvan Marin (74’ Petros Mantalos), Oleksandr Zubkov (46’ Aboubakary Koïta), Luka Jović, Barnabás Varga.
