PAE APS Atromitos Athens vs AEK Athens Match Preview
Giorgos Donis’ Atromitos finally put 90 minutes of good football together in last weekend’s surprising 1-0 against PAOK. Though Atromitos had managed decent performances all season, there was an element missing from matches that were denying the team points.
That appears to have changed in their performance of the season against PAOK, winning comfortably in the usually unfriendly confines of Toumba Stadium. If Atromitos are to claim the three points this weekend against AEK it will have been a job well done.
AEK recorded a hugely important 1-0 derby win over Olympiakos last weekend which kept their slim title hopes alive. The need for consistent results is now more important than ever as anything less than a victory this weekend will mean Manolo Jimenez’s side will have lost their recent momentum.
PAE APS Atromitos Athens vs AEK Athens Match Report
Elias Anastasakos’ late goal ensured that Atromitos gained a deserved point against AEK. Giorgos Donis’ side appears to be improving with each week and must have fancied their chances against AEK, especially when Pape Bouba Diop was sent off just before halftime with his second yellow card.
Up until that point it was all Atromitos as a tired looking AEK team looked fragile at the back and only Sebastain Saha in the AEK goal prevented the home side from opening the scoring. Still, it was AEK who appeared to pick up the three points in the 85th minute as Ismael Blanco raced onto a ball and passed by the onrushing Chrystostomos Michaelidis before scoring into an empty goal. Donis threw on Anastasakos immediately after and was rewarded for his move. Henri Camara, having terrorized the backline of Manolo Jimenez’s team the entire match, sent a dangerous low cross into the box and Anastasakos converted to give Atromitos the draw in a match where they deserved at least that.