Aris Saloniki vs Panionios Athens Match Preview
Aris were recently named as the most successful Greek club of 2010 thanks mainly to their exploits in the Europa League where they defeated Atletico Madrid twice and advanced to the knockout stage. In Greece, a lack of goals has ensured Hector Cuper’s side have struggled. With only 11 goals scored all season, Aris can be perhaps be thankful that they sit as high as they do (7th) in the league standings.
The club are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Panathinaikos, though they played well at times considering they were missing a dozen players due to injury or suspension. Some of those players will return this weekend and the team will fancy their chances against Panionios.
Takis Lemonis will have achieved perhaps his greatest moment in club management if he is able to save Panionios from the drop. It will be a tall task however for a side that just can’t pick up points as of late. The addition of on-loan Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou should help in the goals department as Panionios are the only team with a worse offensive record than Aris with their 9 goals in 17 matches. A good result in Thessaloniki could yet be the catalyst for a change in this team’s fortunes.