Panathinaikos began its journey in the Stoiximan Super League play-offs with a defeat. The Greens were beaten 4-2 in the starting derby against Olympiakos at G. Karaiskakis ground, paying the price for mistakes and moments of inattention.
The derby started in the worst possible way for Rui Vitória’s team, as they conceded a goal before the first minute was even completed. Ingason passed back to Dragowski, who tried to clear the ball with a kick. However, Yaremchuk blocked it and with a deflection sent the ball into the net. Olympiakos scored again in the 16th minute, with Chiquinho getting past Arao and finishing calmly to make it 2-0.
The Greens responded, and after overcoming the shock of the two early goals, began to take control of the game. In fact, in the 25th minute, they managed to score and get back into contention. Vagiannidis and Ounahi combined brilliantly on the right side. The Moroccan crossed immediately to the weak side of Olympiakos’ defense, where Mladenovic was waiting. The Serbian controlled the ball and unleashed a thunderbolt, sending it into Tzolakis’ top left corner (2-1).
Panathinaikos took possession and controlled the tempo but couldn’t create any threats before the end of the first half. Despite finishing the first half on a positive note, the second half started badly again for the Greens. In the 51st minute, Rodinei crossed from the right, and Yaremchuk scored with a header to make it 3-1 for the hosts.
Panathinaikos came close in the 58th minute, but Ioannidis’ attempt inside the box was deflected by Olympiakos players. A huge chance was also missed in the 70th minute, when Swiderski shot powerfully from inside the box, but Tzolakis and the crossbar denied him the goal.
The Greens finally got the goal they deserved in the 75th minute with Ioannidis, who converted a penalty won by Ounahi after being fouled by Garcia. The Shamrock reduced the score to 3-2 but couldn’t find a third goal. On the contrary, Olympiakos scored again in the 82nd minute with a header by Kostoulas, sealing the final 4-2.
Panathinaikos finished the match with ten players after Ioannidis was expelled during the additional period with a second yellow card. Referee Rade Obrenovic made errors in disciplinary decisions, allowing harsh play from the home team. In a crucial moment in the 3rd minute, he not only failed to show a straight red card to Pirola for a dangerous studs-up tackle on Jedvaj, but he didn’t even call a foul!
Olympiakos: Tzolakis, Costinha (79’ Carmo), Ortega (74’ Bruno), Pirola, Biancone, Garcia, Mouzakitis (46’ Hezze), Rodinei, Chiquinho, Martins, Yaremchuk (65’ Kostoulas).
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Ingason, Jedvaj, Arao (64’ Djuricic), Mladenovic, Vagiannidis, Siopis (85’ Maksimovic), Cerin (64’ Tete), Ounahi, Swiderski (85’ Jeremejeff), Ioannidis.
