The action continues today with five games for Matchday 1 of the League Phase of the Greek Cup, following yesterday’s opening match between Volos Elabet and Kalamata.
In the first match of the day, Nestos Chrysoupoli hosts AEK at 5:00 p.m. After a very strong season last year in Superbet Superleague 2, the home team is aiming even higher, having significantly bolstered its roster. To reach the League Phase of the competition, Timos Kavakas’s team had to defeat Apollon Kalamaria 1-0 in the qualifiers, thanks to a goal by Giakoumakis.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
On the other hand, Enosis is coming off its first loss of points this season, having drawn 1-1 on the road against Kifissia on Sunday in the second matchday of the Stoiximan Super League. The “yellow-and-blacks” failed to live up to expectations and ultimately paid the price in the 90+7th minute when Beni sealed the final result.
Given the strength of tonight’s opponent, as well as the fact that two important home games against Aris and Linzer are coming up, Marko Nikolić is expected to field a lineup with several changes today.
Half an hour later, at 5:30 p.m., Marko will host Kifissia at the “Michalis Kritikopoulos” Arena. The home team made some significant signings this past summer, adding experience and quality from the top tiers of Greek soccer. Souli Papadopoulos’s team secured its spot in the League Phase of the Cup by eliminating Ellas Syros in a penalty shootout (1-1 regular time, 3-4 on penalties).
As for Kifissia, the team from the Northern Suburbs has made a very positive impression in its two official matches this season. Beyond the strong performance and fighting spirit it displayed against AEK—which earned it a point— Sebastián Leto’s team also has an impressive 6-1 victory over Zakynthos in the Cup qualifiers to its credit.
At 8:00 p.m., AEL Novibet will host Olympiacos in Thessaly at the “AEL FC Arena” for their own Cup debut. The “Purples” have made numerous changes to their roster following last year’s relegation to the second division. Nevertheless, it seems that something positive is taking shape at AEL, which has reached this stage thanks to two impressive victories over Trikala (0-4) and Athens Kallithea (1-3).
The “Red-and-Whites,” for their part, are coming off two well-deserved, though nerve-wracking, victories in the Stoiximan Super League, both 1-0 wins over Atromitos (at home) and Asteras AKTOR (away). Following the major signing of Puerta, the Piraeus-based club intends to wrap up its transfer activity in the coming days with a strong finish by signing a winger, having turned its attention to that position as well.
On the field, however, everyone expects José Luis Medilbar to rotate the lineup and give playing time to players who haven’t seen enough action so far. Ortega, Pirolá, Ese, Cipioni, and El Kaabi were left out of the squad, while Pedersen was included for the first time.
At the same time, at 8:00 p.m., Panserraikos and Atromitos will face off at the Serres Municipal Stadium. Following last year’s relegation, the home team is aiming for an immediate return to the top tier of Greek soccer this season, with matches like today’s serving as crucial “tests.” In the Superbet Greek Cup qualifiers, Serres eliminated Panthrakikos and secured their spot in the League Phase.
As for “Aster,” tonight’s match is a prime opportunity to return to winning ways and strong performances, boosting the team’s morale heading into the rest of the season. This is because, after the first two matchdays of the Stoiximan Super League, they have suffered two consecutive losses to Olympiacos (1-0, away) and PAOK (1-2, home), matches that were extremely challenging. The Peristeri-based team will take the field without Tsouber, Tsigara, and Mounde.
Finally, today’s schedule wraps up at Toumba, where PAOK will host OFI (10:15 p.m.) in the most intriguing matchup of the night—one with a distinct Stoiximan Super League flavor. This is the first meeting between the two teams since last April’s final, when the Cretans won the Cup. An unofficial rematch at the start of the season, which nonetheless carries great prestige beyond the mere points at stake.
Following their “bitter” elimination from European competition, the Thessaloniki side has gotten off to a very strong start in the league, racking up two wins in their first two matches with a goal difference of 6-1. On Sunday, they traveled to Peristeri and came from behind to defeat Atromitos (1-2), thanks to two goals by Pelka. Alessio Lisi is not expected to make many changes to his starting lineup, with all eyes on the “Northern Double-Headed Eagle,” who is expected to see playing time in his first match with the team.
For the Cretans, tonight’s match will be their second game in Thessaloniki in the span of four days, following Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Aris. This marks the first loss of the season for Christos Kontis’s team following their victory in the Superbet Super Cup, their qualification for the Europa League, and their winning season opener in the league. It will be interesting to see how they respond against a major rival.
*photo source: KYPE
