Berg brace gives Panathinaikos four-point lead
Panathinaikos beat Atromitos on Sunday and took advantage of the goalless draw between PAOK and Asteras Tripolis to open a four-point gap from PAOK at the top of the Super League play-off mini league.
The Greens are already the favorites for the top spot of the mini-league that leads to the qualifiers of next season’s Champions League, but have to negotiate two consecutive games against PAOK next week.
On Sunday they defeated visiting Atromitos 2-0 at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, courtesy of a Marcus Berg brace.
After a goalless first half, Sotiris Ninis shook off the challenge of an opponent, raised the ball forward to half-time substitute Berg who slammed it home with a right-foot volley from close range on the 62nd minute, for one of the most beautiful goals Panathinaikos has scored this season.
The Sweden striker scored his second goal five minutes later as he headed in a Charis Mavrias cross from the right to make it 2-0.
PAOK dropped two points at home against Asteras Tripolis as its players fired a blank against a rather disappointing visitor. The hosts, who were jeered by their own fans after the final whistle at Toumba, had 17 shots, including two against the goal frame, but only one shot on goal.
Nicolas Fernandez left Asteras with 10 men on the 83rd after managing to collect two yellow cards in the eight minutes since coming on as a substitute.
With four rounds of games left to play, Panathinaikos has eight points, PAOK is on four, Asteras has two and Atromitos one.
Up next PAOK hosts Panathinaikos and Asteras visits Atromitos on Wednesday.
