Panathinaikos left a positive impression in their fifth and final preseason friendly before facing Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers. Rui Vitória’s Greens defeated Belgian side Westerlo 3–1 in their dress rehearsal at OAKA, displaying several encouraging elements in their performance.

They scored three goals through Cerin, Pellistri, and Bregou, hit the woodwork once with Swiderski, created more chances to score, and were solid defensively, barely threatened by the opposition.

Panathinaikos started the match pressing high, looking to create early scoring opportunities. However, Westerlo were first to threaten in the 7th minute with Yow, but Dragowski made a superb save to deny him.

The Greens became dangerous in the 20th minute after a steal by Bakasetas, who passed to Pellistri. The Uruguayan made a fast run down the right, passed back to Bakasetas, whose shot was blocked by Westerlo defenders.

Panathinaikos maintained full control of the game and after a well-worked move in the 38th minute involving Chirivella, Ioannidis, Pellistri, and Vagiannidis, they came close to scoring.

They found the goal they deserved in the 41st minute through another great team move. Bakasetas combined with Ioannidis, who laid the ball off to Vagiannidis. The Greek full-back crossed it in, Ioannidis headed it down to the arriving Cerin, who feinted brilliantly and finished clinically for 1–0 — the score at halftime.

The Greens continued in the same rhythm after the break, threatening immediately in the 46th minute with a powerful Bakasetas shot saved by Jungdal. The Westerlo keeper also denied Kyriakopoulos in the 50th minute.
Dominating play, Panathinaikos doubled their lead in the 55th minute after a brilliant combination between Bakasetas and Djuricic, with the Serbian midfielder squaring the ball for Pellistri to score with ease.

Rui Vitória made eight changes in the 59th minute and, by the 72nd, ten of the starting eleven had been substituted. Panathinaikos remained in control and nearly made it 3–0 in the 74th minute with a Swiderski header off a pinpoint cross from Mladenovic that hit the crossbar, and again in the 80th minute when Tete missed a one-on-one.

The third goal eventually came after high pressing, a steal, and an assist from Maksimovic to Bregou, who calmly converted.
In the 90th minute, Westerlo pulled one back with a direct free-kick from Vaesen.

Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis (72′ Kotsiras), Kyriakopoulos (59′ Mladenovic), Toumba (59′ Ingason), Palmer-Brown (59′ Jedvaj), Chirivella (59′ Siopis), Cerin (59′ Maksimovic), Bakasetas (59′ Bregou), Pellistri (59′ Tette), Djuricic (72′ Mancini), Ioannidis (59′ Swiderski).

Westerlo: Jungdal, Reynolds, Rommens, Lapaz (71′ Neusten), Bajram, Bos (57′ Sayyadmanesh), Meboude (69′ Vaesen), Yow (57′ Piedfort), Haspolat (80′ Smekens), Van den Keybus (88′ Fixelles), Frigan (57′ Ferry).