Levadiakos and Aris Thessalonikis Share Points in 1-1 Draw
Levadiakos and Aris Thessalonikis shared the points in a tense 1-1 draw at Levadias Stadium, a result that keeps both sides firmly in the European qualification battle in the Super League 1’s Conference League Group. In front of their own fans, the group leaders Levadiakos had to come from behind after a sharp first-half display from Aris, but ultimately could not find a winner despite controlling long spells of the game.
Aris thought they had struck an early blow on 8 minutes when Benjamín Garré found the net, only for VAR to intervene. After review, the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up, denying the visitors the perfect start but signalling their attacking intent.
The game’s first booking arrived on 23 minutes, with Tino Kadewere going into the referee Anastasios Papapetrou’s notebook for a late challenge, a sign of the physical edge that would underpin much of Aris’s work out of possession. Levadiakos, despite enjoying more of the ball, struggled initially to turn their 60% possession into clear chances.
First Half
On 31 minutes, Aris finally got the breakthrough their early pressure merited. B. Garre scored, assisted by T. Kadewere, finishing off a well-constructed move to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal reflected Aris’s directness and efficiency: three shots on goal across the match, and this was the one that made the difference before the interval.
Levadiakos’ frustration surfaced five minutes later. On 36 minutes, I. Kosti was booked after a mistimed challenge in midfield, halting a promising Aris transition. Just before the break, Hamza Mendyl joined Kadewere in the book on 45 minutes, punished for a late tackle as Levadiakos pushed down the right flank in search of a leveller. Aris reached half-time 1-0 up, having converted their main opportunity, while Levadiakos’ pressure remained largely sterile.
Second Half
The hosts emerged for the second half with greater urgency and finally turned territory into a goal on 58 minutes. B. Verbic scored, assisted by T. Tsapras, arriving from the left to meet a low cross and guide his finish beyond Giorgos Athanasiadis. It was a move that encapsulated Levadiakos’ improved tempo and width, and brought the game back to parity at 1-1.
Aris responded with more aggression, and Fabiano received a yellow card on 63 minutes after a robust aerial challenge, the third booking for the visitors as they tried to disrupt Levadiakos’ rhythm.
The hour mark ushered in a flurry of substitutions as both coaches sought fresh energy. On 66 minutes, H. Layous came on for G. Balzi, and moments later G. Tsivelekidis came on for H. Magnusson, as Nikolaos Papadopoulos reshaped his Levadiakos side. Aris mirrored those changes: at the same 66-minute mark, A. Donis came on for G. Gianniotas, and F. Jensen came on for U. Racic, with Michalis Grigoriou looking for more dynamism between the lines.
Levadiakos continued to chase the winner, and on 77 minutes Papadopoulos made another double switch. L. Jallow came on for I. Kosti, while P. Symelidis came on for B. Verbic, removing his scorer in search of fresh legs in attack. Aris then turned to their bench again on 78 minutes, as C. Kouame came on for B. Garre, the goalscorer making way after a tireless shift.
In the closing stages, Grigoriou added further attacking options. On 83 minutes, L. Moron came on for T. Kadewere and O. Boussaid came on for M. Hongla, signalling a final push from Aris. Levadiakos responded with a late change of their own on 87 minutes, as O. Ozegovic came on for A. Ozbolt to lead the line for the final minutes.
Despite the changes, neither side could find a decisive moment. Levadiakos, who finished with nine total shots and an xG of 1.66, forced just one save from Athanasiadis but saw several efforts blocked by an organised Aris defence that registered four blocked shots. At the other end, Aris produced 13 shots and an xG of 1.4, drawing two saves from Yury Lodygin, whose interventions ensured the hosts did not leave empty-handed.
From a standings perspective, the draw nudges Levadiakos to 43 points in the Conference League Group phase, their goals for tally rising to 52 and goals against to 39, consolidating their position at the top of the mini-league and reinforcing their push in the European qualification battle. Aris, meanwhile, move to 32 points, now with 22 goals for and 29 against, staying in the mix just behind the leaders and keeping their own European hopes alive.
In a match that balanced control against incision, Levadiakos’ dominance of the ball could not quite break Aris’ resistance, while the visitors’ sporadic threat was not enough for all three points. Over two hard-fought halves, a 1-1 draw felt a fair reflection of a tight Super League 1 encounter.
