Atromitos overturn Volos 3-1 with three first-half goals in Greek Cup

Volos led early before Atromitos turned the match

Javier Garrido made his debut on the Volos bench on 29 October, and his side lost 3-1 to Atromitos at the Pantessaliko Stadium in the fourth matchday of the Superbet Greek Cup League Phase. Charalampoglou gave the home side the lead in the eighth minute, but Atromitos equalised three minutes later. Ofori combined with Pnevmonidis on the right and beat goalkeeper Siabanis in the 11th minute to make it 1-1.

Two minutes after the equaliser, Atromitos moved in front. Papadopoulos delivered a cross from the left, and Moutousami, left unmarked inside the box, headed in the 13th-minute goal for 2-1. The third goal came in the 22nd or 23rd minute, depending on the report. Ofori beat his marker on the right and pulled the ball back towards the edge of the six-yard box, where Atzakoua, a Volos player, sent it into his own net. Ofori was named the match's MVP.

Missed penalty and a quieter second half

Tsiloulis won a penalty from Karga during added time at the end of the first half. He took the kick himself, but the shot went off target, so Atromitos did not extend their lead before the interval.

The second half was far less open. Atromitos managed their advantage and kept the ball, while Garrido made a series of substitutions in an attempt to change the game. The few clear chances came from Atromitos. Tsakmakis drove a curling effort after a corner in the 63rd minute, Tsigkaras hit a long shot over the bar in the 73rd, and Papadopoulos forced a save from Siabanis in the 74th. Volos had their last real chance through Perea in added time (90+1'), but his shot went well wide.

Line-ups and coaches

Garrido started Siabanis in goal, with Katsikas and Karga at the heart of the defence and Charalampoglou partnering Kampela up front. Dusan Kerkez, the Atromitos coach, sent out Dieng in goal, with Magnusson and Tsakmakis in central defence. Ofori and Tsantilas formed the attacking pair for the visitors, and the win came on the day Kerkez's side returned to winning ways after two months without a positive result in the league or the cup.

What the result means in the table

Atromitos now have six points and sit fifth in the League Phase table. Volos have one point and are 13th. The top four of the League Phase go directly to the quarter-finals, and Atromitos still have hopes of finishing in that group. Their final matchday is on 2 December at 18:00, when they host Nestos Chrysoupolis. Volos play OFI on the same day and time.

Reports differ on how secure the qualification is. One says the win mathematically secured a place in the playoffs, while another describes it as essentially securing progression.

Atromitos6

Volos1

Atromitos

6 points

Volos

1 points

Data from the article text