Panathinaikos B - Iraklis Larisas
Greece - Super League 2, Group A, Round 28
For quite some time now, the image of Panathinaikos B has shown no signs of improvement, particularly in their defensive performance as they continuously concede goals. This was evident in their heavy 4-1 defeat against Diagoras in Rhodes. Despite their attacking efforts, the team struggles to secure victories and their goal-scoring record remains stagnant. They fell behind in the score from the eleventh minute, and their defense was violated for the second time in the 26th minute. In the 38th minute, they even increased the opponent's score with an own goal by Robi, only managing to reduce the deficit with a goal by Serpezis in the 43rd minute. The final result was established in the 57th minute, as both teams slowed down until the end of the match.
Their upcoming game against Iraklis Larisas will be their last chance to face an opponent motivated by points, as they will then face PAOK B and Niki Volos. Sotiris Antoniou, the experienced coach, will face some challenges with several players being unavailable. Bilal, Tavares, Agostinhos are injured, Turkochoritis and Kriparakos are absent due to obligations with the Elpidon National Team, while Tereziou, Robi, and Albani are sidelined for competitive reasons. On a positive note, Furtado, Prodromitis, and Kyriopoulos are available again.
Iraklis of Larisa surprised even the most optimistic fans by securing a 2-0 victory against the reigning champion Panseraikos. This win strengthens their position in their battle to avoid relegation, as they have been considered the weakest link among the teams in the relegation zone. The match saw Iraklis demonstrating their defensive prowess by denying several scoring opportunities for the opponent. They threatened with attacks from Tasioulis, Galitsio, and Kasas, eventually taking the lead with Hadzi's goal in the 33rd minute. Their goalkeeper made crucial interventions towards the end of the match, maintaining the clean sheet. In the replay, they further solidified their lead with a goal by Casas, and they sealed the victory with a third goal scored by Casas in the 69th minute. With only a one-point gap from the safety zone, every match for Iraklis is a final, including their upcoming matches against OAKA and Veria, with a fixture against Makedonikos in between.
In terms of team news, Christos Hatziliadis, the coach of Iraklis, has two players returning and two absences. Bosio, who served his suspension, and Tasioulis, who has recovered from injury, are available for selection. However, Lucas Garcia is serving a one-game suspension, and Litenas is currently serving the second match of his three-game suspension.
Panathinaikos B has been struggling for a long time and their weak defensive performance has been a significant factor in their inability to secure victories. They possess an attacking prowess but struggle to maintain a solid defensive line, which is in stark contrast to the reliable defensive performance exhibited by Heraklis Larisas. Panathinaikos B is in desperate need of a victory, but their lack of confidence raises doubts about their chances of success.