Aris Thessaloniki celebrated a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Panserraikos at the empty Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, marking the start of Marinos Ouzounidis' tenure as head coach.
The game, played on the 15th matchday of the Stoiximan Super League, saw Aris secure its second consecutive win, bolstered by the introduction of Álvaro Zamora, who scored the decisive goal just three minutes after coming on.
Despite dominating possession, Aris struggled to turn their control of the ball effectively against a resilient Panserraikos side. The first half ended without any goals, but both teams showed intent, with Panserraikos coming close with several attempts, including hitting the post shortly after the second half began.
The action picked up at the beginning of the second half. Just 46 seconds after the whistle blew, Déléticis of Panserraikos smacked the ball against the woodwork, sending shockwaves through the Aris fan base and setting the tone for the remainder of the match.
Aris upped the ante as the game progressed, producing more aggressive forward plays. They came close to opening the scoring when the impressive Vladimir Darida struck the post at the 59-minute mark, leaving the players feeling the pressure to score.
After several attempts, Marinos Ouzounidis made tactical substitutions, introducing fresh legs to the field. The substitutions paid off when Zamora, who had been brought on to inject energy, found himself with the ball at his feet, finishing coolly past the Panserraikos goalkeeper Giorgos Gougousis to make it 1-0 for Aris at the 85th minute.
Despite the late lead, Panserraikos was not done yet. They pushed forward and created several scoring chances, but brilliant saves from Aris goalkeeper Julián Cuesta preserved the win for the home team. Cuesta was called upon to make pivotal stops, especially during stoppage time, ensuring his team's clean sheet.
The match featured a solid defensive display from both sides, with standout performances from Aris players like Darida and Zamora highlighting their contributions. Zamora’s late-game heroics were particularly important, as they delivered Ouzounidis his first win at the helm of the team.
"San José and Da Silva played well, but we lacked effective transitions," Ouzounidis reflected post-match, addressing the pivotal moments where his side could have finished the game sooner.
The head coach’s strategy, heavily criticized during the match, seemed to rally the players, and after Zamora’s introduction, the game shifted significantly. While the first half was heavily contested and fraught with missed opportunities, the second exhibited Aris' resilience and adaptability, highlighting the tactical prowess of their new manager.
Ouzounidis chose to retain many of the team's usual formations, making only necessary adjustments due to player absences. His tactics seemed to extract the best performances from some players like Savério and Darida, who were instrumental in confirming the team's attacking potential.
Fans and analysts noted the stellar play from several key players, particularly the back-and-forth dynamics between offensive efforts. The absence of key supporters from the stands due to prior penalties cast a shadow but did not dampen the players' spirits on the pitch.
Post-match reactions reflected relief but also anticipation for the road ahead, with the upcoming fixtures promising to test Aris' newfound momentum. Zamora was heralded as the unexpected hero, with headlines celebrating his match-winning performance.
Reflecting on the game, both teams demonstrated tactical discipline, with Panserraikos narrowly missing opportunities to equalize, showcasing their potential for future matches under the management of Juan Ferrando, who expressed disappointment over missed opportunities.
With this win, Aris climbed to 27 points, momentarily catching up with local rivals PAOK, who sit at 28 points. Meanwhile, Panserraikos lingered at 16 points, still grappling with their form and searching for answers to their inconsistencies this season.
The next matches will prove pivotal as Aris prepares to visit Asteras Tripolis, hoping to continue their positive form under Ouzounidis, who welcomed the three points with cautious optimism, knowing improvements are needed for his side to remain competitive.
Overall, the match underscored Aris' capacity to clinch victories under pressure, showcasing their potential to make significant strides as the season progresses.
