Tasos Bakasetas broke the Gordian bond for Panathinaikos who prevailed 1-0 against Lamia in OAKA with a free kick right in the 73rd minute. The visitors finished the game with ten players due to the dismissal of Radón in the 49th minute.
Panathinaikos struggled against Lamia’s well-organized defence, but Tasos Bakasetas was the solution for the winner, who prevailed 1-0.
Finals and xGoals Panathinaikos – Lamia
The international midfielder of Greece with a gun from a free kick just put the ball into the depth of the goal of the best to that point Raton.
Lamia finished the game with ten players due to Radon’s suspension. The Bosnian goal brought down Pellistri before the Uruguayans entered the area. Initially, Tsakalides showed a yellow card, but after seeing the step in the VAR, he sent off the Lamia defender.
Panathinaikos with the second three points in a row (for the first time to achieve two victories in a row this year) rose to fifth place and 19 points, although Lamia is below the relegation zone together with Athens Kallithea in seven.
The pace of combat is frozen
In the first half, Panathinaikos was the one with the ball at their feet, but Lamia were very organized in their frames and stayed in their own half, which limited the Greens a bit.
Panathinaikos had the first goal of the game in the 27th minute with Onahi’s shot from the top of the box, with Raton saving in the corner. Ioannidis’ header in the 34th minute did not bother the Phthios goalkeeper who blocked it easily.
Lamia threatened Lake in the 35th minute, but Dragovski stopped him. The best moment of the first half was Pellistri’s fine spot saved by Raton in a corner.
Radonia left his team with ten people, Bakasetas had the solution
The facts quickly changed in the second half when Radón was dismissed. The Bosnian goal stopped Pellistri before the Uruguayans entered the area. Tsakalides first showed him a yellow, VAR asked him to see it. After choosing the stage, he gave Radon red.
From the free kick, Unahi had a nice shot from outside the area, but Raton saved for a corner. Moments later Morocco took a shot from the semi-circle of the area, but the ball went wide.
With time, Panathinaikos took measures on the field and Lamia consolidated themselves in their frames. In 64′, Ioannidis executed from the height of the area, but the ball went wide. It was Tasos Bakasetas who provided the solution to the shambles and sent the ball deep into the Raton goal with dynamite dirt.
It was difficult for Lamia to respond, as they were playing with ten men and with the exception of Furtado’s shot from the semi-circle of the area in the 84th minute, they did not threaten Dragovski’s frames. Panathinaikos threatened twice with Tete’s corner kicks. Arao in the second (90+2′) the ball went just wide. It remained 1-0 until the end.
The best statistics and performances of the game
Panathinaiks: Dragovski, Vagiannidis, Senkefeld (59′ Tete), Ingason, Mladenovic (78′ Max), Arao, Cerin, Unahi (88′ Maksimovic), Mancini (59′ Bakasetas), Pelistri, Ioannidis (78′ Geremegev).
Ghoul: Raton, Radón, Saramandas (76′ Mekic), Kornezos, Giannoutsos, Gotzamanidis, Doiranlis, Bykov, Furtado, Vlahomitros (64′ Vitlis), Lake (53′ Sandberg).
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Andreas Petros, a renowned sports analyst and former professional coach, to discuss the recent match between Panathinaikos and Lamia. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Petros.
Dr. Andreas Petros: Thank you for having me! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. Panathinaikos secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Lamia, thanks to Tasos Bakasetas’ stunning free kick. How significant was that goal in the context of the match?
Dr. Petros: Absolutely crucial. This was a match where Panathinaikos struggled to break through Lamia’s rigid defense. Bakasetas’ goal was like a breath of fresh air, particularly in the 73rd minute when the pressure was building. His ability to find the back of the net from a free kick not only secured the win but also provided a much-needed confidence boost for the team.
Interviewer: It’s interesting that Lamia was reduced to ten players early in the second half with Radón’s dismissal. How did that decision affect the game’s dynamics?
Dr. Petros: The red card completely shifted the momentum. Until that point, Lamia had controlled the game defensively and had limited Panathinaikos’ attacking options. When Radon was sent off, Lamia’s strategy had to change drastically. They had to adopt a more defensive posture, which allowed Panathinaikos to push forward more aggressively. But it also made Panathinaikos’ struggles more evident; despite the numerical advantage, they had a hard time converting their possession into goals until Bakasetas came through.
Interviewer: Right, it seems like Panathinaikos was under a lot of pressure. Frequently, a team can become complacent when they have the upper hand numerically. Do you think that was the case here?
Dr. Petros: That’s a common pitfall. With an extra man, players sometimes assume that victory will come easier, and this can lead to a lack of urgency. Panathinaikos demonstrated that kind of hesitation for much of the match. It took Bakasetas’ brilliance to ultimately break the deadlock. Instead of capitalizing on having one more player, they seemed to struggle against a well-drilled Lamia side that remained organized despite their disadvantage.
Interviewer: Speaking of strategy, Lamia’s defensive structure seemed effective throughout most of the game. What do you think contributed to their solid performance, particularly in the first half when Panathinaikos was trying to find their rhythm?
Dr. Petros: Lamia executed their game plan very well. They were compact defensively and made it difficult for Panathinaikos to find space. The combination of fast defensive transitions and well-timed tackles disrupted the rhythm of Panathinaikos. Even though they faced some close calls, like Onahi’s shot and Pellistri’s near miss, they managed to maintain composure. Being organized and disciplined defensively can often make all the difference in matches like this.
Interviewer: As this victory marks the second consecutive win for Panathinaikos, how do you see their momentum building moving forward in the league?
Dr. Petros: Winning two in a row is definitely a step in the right direction for Panathinaikos. It’s all about building confidence and momentum in football. With this win, they have a chance to climb the rankings, which can provide an added psychological boost. However, they must improve on their attacking efficiency. If they can blend this newfound momentum with better execution in the final third, they might just challenge for higher positions in the league.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Petros, for sharing your insights on this match. It was a pleasure having you with us today!
Dr. Petros: Thank you! Always a delight to discuss football and its intricacies.