PAOK 1-1 AEK: Dikefalos Aetos Survive
By: Chris Paraskevas | September 15th, 2008Survival is the word that springs to mind when reflecting upon what was a typical derby match between two sides in-form.
If any AEK fan were to be offered a total of four points from the opening two matches this season, he
or she would have no hesitation in taking it, considering the relative quality of the opposition and the circumstances of our pre-season.
Essentially, AEK couldn’t have realistically wished for a better start to their league campaign and the most recent draw against our historic cousins from Thessaloniki was a stark contrast to the spectacular collapse at the Toumba two season’s ago (last year’s 4-0 victory was more farcical than anything else).
What Donis’ side have shown in these opening two weeks is a large reserve of character, one that has been given the ultimate acid test in the concrete fortress that is the home of the Diekfalo tou Vorra.
The early signs pointed to another catastrophe, as the home side expectedly pressed early and aggressively, with street-smart manager Fernando Santos keen to capitalize on the momentum of a successful pre-season and start to the Greek Super League.
Muslimovic’s goal was of pure quality but at the same time highlighted a complete lack of mobility at the back for AEK: a weakness that could yet be exposed by opposition more frequently this season.
Nonetheless, Majstorovic and Kyrgiakos recovered after a shaky start and seemed to recapture the uncompromising, physical style that stifled Panathinaikos at the OAKA two weeks ago.
Ismael Blanco then proved his ability to produce goals from nothing – a characteristic which could prove crucial as Donis’ outfit continue to adapt to the former Larissa manager’s playing style – when he ’rounded the ever-generous Chalkias and fired low into an empty net on the stroke of half-time.
The dual introduction of Pelletieri and Djebbour at half-time appeared to be Donis’ attempt at a trump-card move but the pace of the match proved too much for the pair, the latter starved of any type of service for virtually the entire second-half. There’s is a contribution that will be better measured over time.
The Kitrinomavri probably should have won the game through Nacho Scocco with just fifteen minutes remaining but the impressive Argentine fired his shot straight at Chalkias from inside the penalty area.
In truth, a draw was a fair result for two sides who are equally matched at this stage of the season. The sheer quality of AEK’s roster would suggest that once they begin to gel as a squad and as a team, they will surpass their northern rivals and prove to be too strong when they make the journey to the Olympic Stadium later on in the season…
PAOK 1 (Muslimovic 15′)
AEK 1 (Blanco 47′)
Line-ups:
PAOK: Chalkias, Darlas, Marcos Antonio, Conceicao, Muslimovic, Contreras (78’ Bizera), Vieirinha (85’ Lakis), Ivic (69’ Bakayoko), Veron, Balafas, Sznaucner
AEK: Saja, Georgeas, Juanfran, Kyrgiakos, Majstorovic, Rikka (46’ Pelletieri), Pliatsikas (46’ Djebbour), Basinas, Scocco, Edinho (64’ Lagos), Blanco
Category: AEK Athens Team News
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