What he wanted in the moment he needed it so badly and in the most compelling way! Panathinaikos needed that emphatic – close to victory – 3-0 win over AEK more than ever in a game that could make history. After a period of controversy and weakness that the ‘Cloverleaf’ kept rewarding with silly mistakes, for the first time in years its players reacted to the ‘MUST’, currently the biggest must-win game of the season, and showed how much they got it wrong in a year that, due to its image on the pitch, had to be significantly higher on the scoreboard and with more points in the ‘pocket’.

He hasn’t solved all his problems, nor has he suddenly become…a super Panathinaikos team after that win, but in any case he came through in a very impressive and convincing way in his first derby of the year. He picked up psychology for the end of the season, multiplied the mood of his people, who flocked to the stadium en masse, despite the mosquitoes on land covering the entire allowable 50% of the avenue, and increased the level of aggregation for the upcoming matches in the Cup (semifinals with Lamia) and Super League Interwetten (Peristeri and Playoffs).

This time, the “Greens” found a way to break out and made no “deductions” in goals, chances and mentality. Like the ones that cost her a bunch of points from the avenue. And (they) showed that they have absolutely no…distance from them from above…above, and took any “doubt” about them making the playoffs out of the discussion. They doubted themselves so much that they pulled their own heads out the door.

Of course it’s enough for them to show the same consistency and continuity in the next spring quarter, which will largely determine their two major goals: the Greek Cup and a return to the European Cup with the highest possible table position. The step up must be done now and the whole organization must invest in it so that Panathinaikos can gradually be brought back closer to its ‘normal’ standards.

The characteristics of Alexandropoulos

The game became easy because Panathinaikos made it… easy and capitalized on all his moments in the first half despite missing his midfield “barometer”, Lucas Vigiafanies. But also because at the right moment – ​​where the “Greens” seemed highly trapped by pressure and pressure from AEK in the first quarter – Sotiris Alexandropoulos showed the whole range of quality characteristics.

Terrible run with the ball and vertical movement from the left that brought an imbalance in AEK’s (terribly fragile) defensive line, a clear surprise – from a very clumsy coverage by Rota – and a penalty that the Portuguese Nobre didn’t see stated that the VAR called him to the field briefing.

“Touku”, a money transfer

After the goal, AEK, who until then had been very focused on their plan, mentally collapsed in the field. And before she fully understood it, Palacios again “beat” her mercilessly. Terrible tackle and ball in the penalty area by Facudo Sanchez, incredible bite of the ball by “Toukou” movement in the penalty area, place and 2-0. Also in 2022, Palacios is the “wing” of Panathinaikos (7 goals) along with Aitor, exposing everyone who was raped with him.

It is real value for money and confirms in every game that it was worth every euro of the approximately 2 million spent last August to be acquired by Independiente. And it’s not just the goals… It’s his whole mentality, the ‘we’ well below his ‘I’ and the fact that he’s regularly the coach’s delight as he never – BUT NEVER – goes ‘naked’ . his back!

The… Switch by Aitor Kantalapiedra

Up close and personal in another match Aitor, with a penalty (not so great execution this time but… goals), assists “razor sharp” from those who take all the attackers and the world to the podium and with great power and runs up to 65′. The atheist even went on goal after a corner in the 39th minute, but the bar didn’t bring it.

The Catalan’s counter continues to “write”: he has 5 goals and 6 assists in 13 games in 2022 and continues. Indeed, now an important part of Jovanovic’s overall machine…

All he lacks is a clear mind

Of particular note is Fotis Ioannidis, who has really been in great shape since the day he wore the ‘cloverleaf’, deservedly won the main striker’s shirt and made an excellent game. The only thing he sometimes lacks to become much more effective and influential as a For is a clear head.

Because he can score most… centre-forward goals, like the one he “wrote” in 29′, but also miss chances that don’t get lost, like that narrow space he doesn’t corner could send first-half final, but also the phase in 61′ where he did everything perfectly, passed Tsintotas, but his place was terribly lifeless…

The possibility of not getting kicked

Panathinaikos got what they wanted, moving forward in the most important win of the last three years, having the minimum of the first goal of the season and now having terrible momentum ahead – at the time when their main opponents started to…oils too lose to look even higher.

It will be a shame for the work and effort he has put in since July to then also take this opportunity…