Levadiakos and Aris Thessalonikis produced a tactically balanced 1-1 draw at Levadias Stadium, with contrasting approaches clearly reflected in the numbers. Levadiakos controlled possession (60% to 40%) and built patiently in a 4-1-4-1, while Aris, in a 4-4-2, relied on verticality, direct running and higher shot volume (13 total shots to 9).
The expected goals underline how even the game state truly was: 1.66 xG for Levadiakos versus 1.4 for Aris. The hosts’ territorial and passing control (391 total passes at 77% accuracy versus 257 at 72%) was offset by Aris’ more incisive use of their attacks, especially in the first half.
Defensively, both sides were aggressive and willing to foul to disrupt rhythm: 15 fouls by Levadiakos and 17 by Aris, with the visitors collecting three yellow cards to the hosts’ one. In goal, Yury Lodygin’s 2 saves and Giorgos Athanasiadis’ single save match the xG data: neither goalkeeper was overworked, and the “goals prevented” metric at 0 for both teams confirms that the 1-1 scoreline aligned closely with chance quality rather than extraordinary shot-stopping.
First Half
Aris’ early tactical statement came with their disallowed goal at 10', when Martin Hongla had a strike cancelled by VAR. That incident encapsulated Aris’ plan: use the double striker partnership of Tino Kadewere and Carles Pérez to pin the Levadiakos back line and then attack second balls with the midfield four. The eventual opener at 31' followed the same pattern. Kadewere, already on a yellow card from a 23' foul, still played aggressively between the lines and turned provider, assisting Benjamín Garré’s “Normal Goal” for 0-1. Garré’s wide-midfield starting role in the 4-4-2 allowed him to drive inside from the right half-space, exploiting the gap outside Levadiakos’ single pivot Enis Çokaj.
Levadiakos’ 4-1-4-1 was built to dominate the ball but initially lacked penetration. Çokaj anchored in front of a back four of Triantafyllos Tsapras, Panagiotis Liagas, Hörður Magnússon and Marios Vichos, with a fluid line of four attacking midfielders – Sebastián Palacios, Guillermo Balzi, Giannis Kosti and Benjamin Verbič – supporting lone forward Alen Ožbolt. The structure gave Levadiakos numbers between the lines but not enough depth in the penalty area to convert possession into high-quality shots: 6 efforts inside the box versus Aris’ 10, and only 2 shots on target.
Second Half
The key adjustment came after the break, both in tempo and in the use of the fullbacks. Levadiakos pushed Tsapras and Vichos higher, turning the shape into more of a 2-3-4-1 in sustained possession. That paid off at 58', when Verbič equalised with a “Normal Goal” assisted by Tsapras. The right-back’s advanced positioning created an overload on Aris’ left, and Verbič, drifting in from the left midfield slot, attacked the box more like a second striker than a winger. This was the clearest expression of Levadiakos’ possession strategy finally breaking the Aris block.
Discipline played into the tactical tone. Giannis Kosti’s yellow card at 36' for a foul constrained his ability to counter-press aggressively in the left half-space, which may explain why Levadiakos were slightly more cautious with their central pressing thereafter. For Aris, Hamza Mendyl’s 45' yellow (argument) and Fabiano’s 63' yellow (also for argument) reflected a side under increasing territorial pressure as Levadiakos grew into the game and pinned them deeper.
The substitution phase from 66' onwards was decisive in shaping the final half-hour. At 66', Levadiakos made a double defensive-structural change: Hörður Magnússon (OUT) was replaced by Giannis Tsivelekidis (IN), and Guillermo Balzi (OUT) made way for Hisham Layous (IN). Tsivelekidis’ introduction freshened the defensive line, while Layous offered more direct running and vertical threat from midfield, complementing Verbič’s between-the-lines movement.
Simultaneously at 66', Aris adjusted their 4-4-2 personnel without changing the base shape. Giannis Gianniotas (OUT) was replaced by Anastasios Donis (IN), adding more pace and counter-attacking threat from wide areas, and Uroš Račić (OUT) was replaced by Fredrik Jensen (IN) in central midfield. Jensen’s profile – more progressive passing, slightly less physical presence than Račić – signalled an attempt to regain some control of transitions after Levadiakos’ equaliser.
Levadiakos doubled down on fresh legs in the attacking midfield band at 77'. Benjamin Verbič (OUT) came off for Panagiotis Symelidis (IN), and Giannis Kosti (OUT) was replaced by Lamarana Jallow (IN). With Verbič and Kosti both withdrawn, Papadopoulos traded some of his most technically secure players for more energy and directness, aiming to turn sustained possession into late pressure rather than intricate combination play. The pattern of the stats – more total passes and higher accuracy, but only 2 shots on target – suggests the gamble improved territory but did not drastically change shot quality.
Aris’ response was to freshen their own attacking outlets. At 78', scorer B. Garre (OUT) was replaced by Christian Kouamé (IN), adding a more vertical, striker-like threat from wide positions. At 83', Martin Hongla (OUT) made way for Othman Boussaid (IN), and Tino Kadewere (OUT) was replaced by Loren Morón (IN). Those three changes collectively shifted Aris’ front four towards more counter-attacking speed and directness, with Boussaid offering ball-carrying from midfield and Morón providing a penalty-box reference point.
Levadiakos’ final substitution at 87' underlined their push for a winner: Alen Ožbolt (OUT) was replaced by Ognjen Ožegović (IN). Ožegović’s fresh presence as a central forward aimed to attack crosses and second balls as Levadiakos continued to circulate possession and send numbers forward. Yet, despite their 4 corner kicks to Aris’ 3 and a slight edge in blocked shots (3 versus 4 for Aris, indicating both defences were active in the box), the hosts could not turn their structural dominance into a decisive final chance.
Statistically, the draw is justified. Levadiakos’ 1.66 xG from 9 shots (2 on target, 6 inside the box) reflects a possession-heavy side that eventually carved out a few good looks but not a barrage of clear chances. Aris, with 13 shots (3 on target, 10 inside the box) and 1.4 xG, were more direct and often more dangerous when they did progress, particularly in the first hour.
The disciplinary tally – 1 yellow for Levadiakos (Kosti) and 3 for Aris (Kadewere, Mendyl, Fabiano) – mirrors a game where the visitors increasingly had to foul or argue to disrupt Levadiakos’ rhythm as the hosts took control of territory. With both goalkeepers posting 0 goals prevented and modest save counts (Lodygin 2, Athanasiadis 1), the 1-1 scoreline emerges as a fair reflection of two contrasting but equally effective game plans cancelling each other out over 90 minutes.
