An ideal start for 2025!

Panathinaikos was the triumphant team in the first derby of 2025! Rui Vitoria’s Greens left their soul on the pitch and defeated PAOK 2-1, making a major upset and climbing to the top of the Stoiximan Super League with one match left to play.

The Shamrock, played in an empty and freezing stadium due to OAKA’s suspension, had a tremendous reaction despite being caught cold at the start of the match. The Greens equalized immediately with Ioannidis and playing with patience and a clear mind until the last minute, found the winning goal with… magic Ounahi, which gave the team its seventh consecutive victory in all competitions.

PAOK achieved absolute surprise as they opened the score just in the second minute with a shoot by Zivkovic from inside the area after a vertical pass by Ozdoev. Panathinaikos’ reaction, however, was immediate as they equalized in the 12th minute with Ioannidis. Maksimovic made a deep pass, the Green captain defeated Lovren in the aerial duel, wonderfully avoided Kotarski and scored into an empty net for 1-1, scoring for the fourth time in the last five matches!

The Shamrock took the reins of the match and threatened again in the 20th minute with a great opportunity. Bakasetas executed a corner kick, Arao got the first header, Jedvaj from the height of the small area tried to score with his chest but initially Kotarski and then Kedziora prevented the goal. In the 35th minute, another huge opportunity was missed for the Greens who played quickly on the counterattack with Tete. The Brazilian carried the ball and opened it nicely for Ioannidis, who stepped into the area and shot with a flick, but the ball went just wide of Kotarski’s right post.

The second half began with another great opportunity for Panathinaikos, who in the 48th minute threatened with a header from Maksimovic after a nice move by Ioannidis and a cross by Tete. However, Kotarski had difficulty saving the ball for a corner. In the 58th minute, it was Dragowski’s turn to save Zivkovic’s shot from close range, while in the 60th minute, the visitors were left with a player less on the field due to Baba’s expulsion (due to a second yellow card) for pushing Vagiannidis.

The game changed as PAOK played more passively from then on, giving more importance to their blocking function. The Greens tried but had difficulty finding ways to become threatening again, while Rui Vitoria tried with his substitutions to stimulate his team.

And indeed, the two players he brought onto the pitch in the 72nd minute were the ones who collaborated on the goal that decided the game. In the 90th minute – and after Tete had previously threatened from a wide position – Pellistri passed to Ounahi, who with an incredible individual effort and a magical placement sent the ball into the opposite corner, writing the final 2-1, which brought Panathinaikos back to the top of the standings. It was the Moroccan’s first goal in the league and his second wearing the Green shirt after the 2-1 victory over Atromitos for the Greek Cup.

Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Mladenovic, Jedvaj, Ingason, Arao (72’ Ounahi ), Maksimovic, Bakasetas (93’ Mancini), Tete (93’ Cerin), Djuricic (72’ Pellistri), Ioannidis.

PAOK: Kotarski, Otto, Baba, Kedziora, Lovren, Camara, Ozdoev (72’ Schwab), Murg (63 Sastre), Zivkovic (93’ Shoretire), Taison (72’ Despodov), Brandon (63’ Samatta).