Panathinaikos is returning to where it belongs: the stars of the Champions League! Rui Vitória’s team showed character at OPAP Arena, as despite falling behind on the scoreboard, they made a full comeback and prevailed over AEK with 2-1, securing second place and the ticket to the Champions League qualifiers one matchday before the end of the playoffs.

Panathinaikos had its first threat in the 10th minute when, after a clearance by Brignoli, Pellistri took the ball and drove forward, but his shot from the edge of the box ended up in the hands of AEK’s goalkeeper.
In the 23rd minute, the Greens lost Jedvaj due to injury, who was replaced by Palmer-Brown. AEK created two dangerous situations in the Panathinaikos box: in the 33rd minute with a header from Lamela that went wide, and in the 37th with a shot by Rota that Dragowski saved.

Panathinaikos could have opened the scoring in the 41st minute when, after a beautiful combination between Ounahi and Vagiannidis inside the box, the ball reached Swiderski, who attempted a low turn shot, which Brignoli saved. AEK took the lead in the 44th minute with a finish from Lamela after a cross from Koita on the left side.

The end of the first half was negative for the Greens, but they came into the second half determined to turn things around. And indeed, Panathinaikos not only equalized quickly but completed the comeback.

First, in the 51st minute, Vagiannidis, Tete, and Swiderski exchanged passes perfectly, and the ball ended up in the box at Maksimovic’s feet. The Serbian laid it off for Ounahi, who scored a stunning placed shot from outside the area to make it 1-1. Rui Vitória’s players didn’t stop there, as in the 60th minute they scored again. Vagiannidis made a superb run and was brought down in the box by Pierrot. The referee awarded a penalty, and Swiderski beat Brignoli with the kick to make it 1-2.

From then on, the Greens managed their lead excellently, holding it safely until the end of the match. AEK’s only real threat came in the final minute of stoppage time when Tsiloulis’ header hit Dragowski’s crossbar.

AEK: Brignoli, Rota, Odubajo, Mitoglou, Szymanski, Jonsson (74′ Pereira), Pineda (62′ Fernández), Mantalos, Koita (62′ Tsiloulis), Lamela (81′ Vida), Pierrot (74′ Eliasson).

Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Mladenovic, Ingason, Jedvaj (23′ Palmer-Brown), Maksimovic, Cerin, Ounahi (77′ Siopis), Tete (90+2′ Bakasetas), Pellistri (90+2′ Limnios), Swiderski (77′ Ioannidis).