Panathinaikos turned the derby against PAOK at OAKA for the 3rd round of the Stoiximan Super League playoffs into a one-man show. Rui Vitória’s Greens were dominant, imposed their pace, and achieved a valuable 3-1 victory.
The Shamrock picked up where it left off in last Sunday’s derby against AEK, which it also won by the same score. Panathinaikos confirmed its dominance at OAKA, where it remained unbeaten for the 17th consecutive match, having last lost on October 24 in a Conference League match against Chelsea.
The Shamrock players took control from the beginning, dominating ball circulation and the tempo. Playing with patience, strategy, and tactical discipline, they found their first goal at the half-hour mark. In the 33rd minute, Swiderski pressed and stole the ball from Wieteska, combined nicely with Djuricic, who fed the Polish striker. Swiderski entered the box, drew two defenders, and at the right moment laid it off to the incoming Ounahi. The Moroccan calmly slotted it in for 1-0.
In the 42nd minute, after another fast counterattack, Panathinaikos scored a second. Siopis intercepted the ball just outside their box after a PAOK free kick, carried it forward, and delivered a wonderful diagonal pass to Ounahi. The scorer of the first goal attempted a curling shot, the ball deflected off Wieteska and ended up in PAOK’s net for 2-0, a score that held until halftime.
The Greens didn’t let up. They came out strong in the second half and were rewarded in the 50th minute with a spectacular goal in both creation and execution. Ounahi and Vagiannidis combined beautifully, with the Moroccan delivering a magical backheel pass. Vagiannidis sent a pinpoint cross to Swiderski, who headed it home perfectly for 3-0.
Panathinaikos maintained control and the lead without being seriously threatened by PAOK. They had a great chance for a fourth in the 77th minute through Ioannidis, but Kotarski made a tough save for a corner. In the next minute, PAOK reduced the deficit to 3-1 after Tyson stole the ball from Siopis and passed to Konstantelias, who scored with a sliding shot under pressure from Ounahi.
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Mladenovic, Jedvaj, Ingason, Siopis (88’ Arao), Maksimovic, Ounahi (88’ Limnios), Pellistri (68’ Tete), Djuricic (80’ Cerin), Swiderski (67’ Ioannidis).
PAOK: Kotarski, Sastre (57’ Otto), Baba, Wieteska, Michailidis, Ozdoev, Meite (75’ Schwab), Konstantelias, Zivkovic (76’ Soretiere), Pelkas (46’ Taison), Chalov (46’ Samatta).
