The match between Panaitolikos and Aris was dramatic, with Agriniotes winning 2-1. Belevonis “took” the hosts at 90+10′, in a game where three goals were disallowed.
Panaitolikos continues its high flights in the Stoiximan Super League. Agriniotes prevailed 2-1 against Aris for the 11th matchday, in a game that had a dramatic development and the end of breath. Belevonis scored with his shot, after an assist for Stagic, the winning goal at 90+10′.
In the 64th minute, García’s goal was disallowed due to a foul from Sifuentes at the start of the phase, and in the 85th minute, an own goal by Aris was disallowed due to the outside of Lahoud. The Thessalonians were fighting with ten men from the 77th minute due to the dismissal of Rose, which they paid for in the end.
In the standings, Panaitolikos is still at the top of the standings, because with 18 points they are together with Olympiakos. Aris remained at 21 points.
In the next game after the suspension of the championship due to the national team, Panaitolikos host Panathinaikos (24/11, 17:00) and Aris welcome Volos (23/11, 19:30).
The game
There were few finals in the first game, but excellent pace and development. In the 12th minute, Sisto threatened from outside the area with two goals. In his first attempt, Chavez parried, and in the second he failed. Panaitolikos took the lead in the 17th minute of the game.
Bouzoukis took a corner from the left and Pantelakis headed the ball into the net for 1-0. In fact, ten minutes later, Panaitolikos came close to a second goal on the counter. Perez turned from the left to Lomonaco, who lost in the heart of the area.
Panaitolikos defended successfully, and Aris did not find lanes. The quality of Manus Garthia was needed there. He turned his body, won the counter from Pantelakis and with a great shot with the counter from outside the area Chaves hung for 1-1.
Shortly before the end of the first half, Agriniotes came close to the second goal. Miguel took a corner from the right, Torrejon took a header and hit the target. However, VAR asked the referee and checked the situation on the monitor, as the exposed Lomonaco tried to play the ball, in front of the goalkeeper. Tsimenteridis made the decision to cancel it and the 1-1 remained.
Ares came on strong in the second half of the game. In the 53rd minute, Suleimanov threatened with a direct free kick, and in the 56th minute, Moron shot from inside the area, with the ball stopping on the crossbar of Chavez’s left post. In the 64th minute, Garthia found the net with an excellent placement outside the area. However, Tsimenteridis was again warned by VAR and decided to disallow the goal for Sifuentes’ foul on Miguel Garcia at the start of the period.
Panaitolikos remained dangerous and made sure to show it. In the 72nd minute he scored the second goal, with Torrejon unable to beat Sidcliffe from inside the area. In the 77th minute, the hosts took a numerical advantage. Chavez quickly took the free kick, Roa found a goal from the Aris defence, and Rose brought it down before his opponent entered the area. So he saw the red card.
However, the game and Panaitolikos had not said… the last word. At 90+10′, Stagic found Belevonis behind the Aris defense and gave the home team the win with a shot.
- PANAETOLICOS: Chaves, Sielis, Pantelakis, Mladen (70′ Stagic), Mavria, Luis, Pereth, Silva, Lahoud (90′ Belevonis), Bouzoukis (57′ Liavas), Lomonako (70’ Roa)
- MARCH: Sidcliffe, Montoya, Brambetz, Rose, Juancar, Sifuentes, Monchu, Suleimanov (75′ Saverio), Manu Garcia (82′ Fatore), Pione Sisto (90′ Diadi), Moron (90′ Quaisson)
Interview: Time.news Editor with Football Expert Dr. Elena Kotsou
Time.news Editor: Good day, Dr. Kotsou! Thanks for joining us. What an exhilarating match we witnessed between Panaitolikos and Aris recently. Let’s dive into the details. Panaitolikos won 2-1, but there were some controversial moments that left fans buzzing, including three disallowed goals. What do you think about the impact of VAR in this match?
Dr. Elena Kotsou: Thank you for having me! VAR has certainly been a topic of heated discussion, particularly in a match as dramatic as this one. The disallowed goals—especially García’s in the 64th minute—raise questions about how VAR’s decisions can influence the game’s momentum. While it aims to create fairness, sometimes it leads to controversies that can change the atmosphere of a match.
Editor: Absolutely, and in this match, it was particularly intense given that at one point, Aris was down to ten men after Rose’s dismissal. How much do you think playing with a man down affected their strategy?
Kotsou: Playing with ten men significantly restricts a team’s tactical options. Aris had to adopt a more defensive posture, which likely contributed to their lack of creativity in breaking down Panaitolikos’s defense in the second half. The physical and mental fatigue also set in late in the match, making it even tougher to respond effectively. That’s something we really saw in Belevonis’ winning goal at 90+10’.
Editor: Speaking of that dramatic closing moment, Belevonis’ goal truly sealed the win. How do you rate his performance throughout the match?
Kotsou: Belevonis had a commendable performance. His ability to stay focused in those final moments showcases great poise. The partnership he formed with Stagic to create that winning goal is a testament to their chemistry on the field. The late-game heroics not only boost their confidence but also keep Panaitolikos on top of the standings, reinforcing their momentum in the league.
Editor: Right, Panaitolikos remains at the top of the Stoiximan Super League standings, tied with Olympiakos. What do you think this means for the team’s morale as they prepare to host Panathinaikos next?
Kotsou: Being at the top certainly elevates a team’s morale. They’re riding a wave of confidence, especially following such a dramatic win. Hosting Panathinaikos, a fierce rival, is an added layer. The players will want to replicate this intensity and focus to keep that upper hand in the standings. Rivalry matches can be unpredictable, which makes preparation crucial.
Editor: Indeed! As we look forward to the upcoming fixtures, both Panaitolikos and Aris have demanding games ahead. What sort of adjustments do you think Aris will need to make to bounce back from this defeat against Volos?
Kotsou: For Aris, the first step is to reassess their defensive structure, especially with the potential mental impact of a tough loss. They need to improve discipline to prevent unnecessary fouls that lead to yellow cards and suspensions, like Rose’s. Additionally, they should incorporate a more versatile attack to combat teams playing with deeper defensive lines. Strengthening their midfield can definitely help in regaining possession and controlling the tempo.
Editor: Those are insightful points! Thank you, Dr. Kotsou. It’s always a pleasure to hear your expert analysis on the game. We’ll definitely keep an eye on how things unfold in the league!
Kotsou: My pleasure! I’m excited to see how the rest of the season unfolds. There’s always more drama to come in football!