Panathinaikos beat Volos 1-0 with Cyriel Dessers goal to retake Super League top spot

Panathinaikos win in Volos

Panathinaikos beat Volos 1-0 on Sunday, 25 October, in round eight of the Super League, with the only goal coming at the start of the second half. The match was played at the Panthessaliko Stadium, where one report put the crowd at nearly 15,000 supporters. Panathinaikos controlled most of the game, created the stronger chances and forced Volos into a deep defensive block, with the home side relying on long balls over the top. The result takes the Athens club back to the top of the table after a midweek match in Almaty.

A goalless first half

Panathinaikos pressed from the opening minutes and tried to impose their rhythm early, with Antino a key attacking outlet from the left. Volos goalkeeper Marios Siampanis made several important saves to keep his side level, including a block from close range when Panathinaikos began to dominate. The clearest chance before the break came around the 25th minute, when Dessers worked his way past the Volos keeper but saw his finish strike the woodwork. Antino followed with a shot that Siampanis also stopped, and the first half ended 0-0 after a late low effort from Kalabria went just wide.

The goal and the disallowed effort

The decisive moment arrived in the 46th minute, when a cross from the left was met by Dessers, who finished with a neat placed shot past Siampanis. The goal was checked by VAR for a possible offside before it stood. Panathinaikos continued to press and hit the woodwork again around the 50th minute, when Livai Garcia struck a strong left-footed effort that rebounded off the bar. Volos responded late, and in the closing stages Ourtado appeared to put the ball into an empty net, but the assistant referee flagged offside and the goal was ruled out, a decision one report said VAR confirmed.

Table and next fixtures

Panathinaikos now lead the Super League with 21 points, ahead of Olympiakos on 19 and AEK on 17, with AEK having one game fewer after a postponed fixture. Volos are still bottom of the table with no points after eight rounds. Panathinaikos will meet AEK in the derby on Sunday, 1 November, at 19:00, and Volos face Atromitos at Peristeri on Monday, 2 November, at 18:00. Both fixtures will be important for the table, with the derby likely to shape the title race at the top.