AEK Athens suffered its first defeat in the Greek league this Sunday, losing 2-0 against Panathinaikos in the capital derby. The result left the Greek team seven points behind leaders Panathinaikos before the club faces Real Madrid on matchday four of the Champions League.
The opening goal came in the first minute, when Andreas Tetteh slid down the right wing and headed a shot into the top corner of the goal. AEK tried to react, but Panathinaikos maintained possession and pressure, preventing the visiting team from finding a footing. In the second half, Santino Andino's goal, which came in the 48th minute, sealed the victory for the rival. AEK were unable to turn the score around, although in the last twenty minutes they had numerical superiority after the expulsion of a Panathinaikos player.
The Greek team had entered the match on a streak of three consecutive victories in the league, which had given them confidence before the match. However, the derby defeat left AEK feeling that their position in the table has become more precarious, with the leaders maintaining a seven-point lead. The club will have to reorganize quickly to face the next round in the Champions League, where Real Madrid will be its first rival.
The match also showed that AEK needs to improve its defense, as it allowed two goals in the opening minutes of each half. For its part, Panathinaikos took advantage of its dominance of the game to secure the victory. AEK will have to look for a strong response in their next game in the league and in European competition to regain the momentum they lost in the derby.