AEK is once again at the top of Greece, with its 14th championship title in its history being a fact!
Although they fell behind in the score with a goal by Tetteh in the 63rd minute, AEK with Zini in the 72nd and the golden goal by João Mário in the 93rd minute made a comeback in a shaking Nea Filadelfia, winning 2-1 against Panathinaikos. This, combined with Olympiacos' draw against PAOK in Faliro, crowned them champions two matchdays before the end!
Derby with pace but no goals, Varga's goal disallowed for offside
Panathinaikos entered the derby with passion, pressing high and easily reaching AEK's box, having their first threat in the 6th minute with Pantelidis shooting straight at Strakosha.
AEK responded in the very next minute, creating the first big chance of the match with Koita making a run and hitting a low shot, but Lafont with one hand, leaped to tip it out for a corner.
AEK struggled to build attacks properly, showing nervousness in their passing, and losing many duels. This gradually changed after the first fifteen minutes as the yellow-blacks found their footing a bit better.
In the 21st minute, another individual effort, this time from Pereira, led to a second shot on goal for AEK, but the shot was straight at Lafont, who easily gathered it, as did Pineda's attempt in the 28th minute.
The Greens weren't creating dangerous situations, and AEK was making hasty decisions in their final third.
Panathinaikos threatened with a powerful long-range shot from Kontouris in the 38th minute, which Strakosha difficulty pushed wide to his corner, with AEK failing to capitalize on the set pieces they earned.
This changed in first-half stoppage time with Varga scoring with a header after a pinpoint cross from Marin, but the Hungarian striker was marginally offside, as confirmed by VAR.
Dramatic comeback in the 93rd minute and championship for AEK
Panathinaikos sat back, while AEK continued to struggle to find proper attacking combinations, also failing to capitalize on the set pieces they earned. And since AEK couldn't make use of their set pieces, they found themselves chasing the score in the 63rd minute.
After a counter-attack by Pantelidis, the ball reached Cerin, who with a curling shot hit Strakosha's crossbar, and on the rebound, Tetteh headed in for a 0-1, silencing Nea Filadelfia.
Nikolic immediately brought on Zini for Pereira, with AEK now feeling immense pressure, and Koita in the 68th minute unable to find the target from a very wide position.
Panathinaikos' lead woke up AEK, who quickly responded in the 72nd minute, equalizing to 1-1 with Zini, who had just come into the game.
After a cross from Rota, Jovic brought the ball down and the Angolan forward with a powerful left-footed shot found the corner of Lafont's net, bringing Nea Filadelfia to its feet.
AEK had pinned back Panathinaikos and 4 minutes later missed an incredible opportunity for the comeback. Pilios crossed, the ball went through the entire defense and Zini in front of an open goal from a wide position, on the run, hit the crossbar.
The yellow-blacks had found their rhythm and reaction, but Panathinaikos in the 82nd minute almost took the lead again with Zaroury, who had come on earlier for Pantelidis, hitting a diagonal shot that went just wide of Strakosha's post.
AEK was playing aggressively to find the comeback goal and in the 88th minute, in a sustained attack, they missed a huge chance with Jovic unable to beat Lafont from close range with a flick, and then Rota and Moukoudi unable to send the ball into the net with Lafont blocking it.
AEK was squandering set pieces, like another one in the 91st minute with Relvas heading the ball high and wide, but in the 93rd... Nea Filadelfia erupted!
Relvas crossed, Zini got the first header, Jovic nodded it down to João Mário, who had come on as a substitute shortly before, and he slotted it into the net for a 2-1 amidst pandemonium! AEK was champion and Nea Filadelfia went wild!
MVP: João Mário. He was the golden goal scorer in the 93rd minute who gave the championship to AEK!
Up to their level: Amazing Pineda who was everywhere. Zini provided energy and equalized to spark the comeback!
Weak link: Koita did not have a good game, wasting many attacking opportunities for AEK.
The blunder: It was made by Pilios with his miskick at the start of the phase leading to Tetteh's goal.
The referee: German Harm Osmers had a fair officiating.
Incredible comeback by AEK and the 14th championship title in their history in Nea Filadelfia!
AEK was nervous, Panathinaikos found the opportunity to take the lead, but Nikolic's golden substitutions with Zini and João Mário made the huge comeback.
AEK showed resilience and turned the derby around, celebrating a well-deserved title at the end!