Panathinaikos kicked off their competitive campaign with a victory, taking an important first step toward qualification for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Greens produced a dominant display to claim a 2-1 away win over Hungary’s Paksi, laying solid foundations ahead of next Thursday’s return leg (July 30) at the Olympic Stadium.
It was the official debut of Jacob Neestrup as Panathinaikos head coach, while Peña, Tsapras, De Vrij, Camara and Rastoder all made their first official appearances in green. Panathinaikos controlled the match for long periods, creating numerous clear-cut chances that could have produced a more comfortable victory and made the task in the second leg significantly easier. Nevertheless, against a well-organized and physically strong opponent, the Greens once again displayed many encouraging signs, reflecting the excellent work carried out since the start of pre-season.
Panathinaikos created their first opportunities as early as the 8th minute through Jagusic and Andino, before Andino threatened again in the 19th and 38th minutes and Tetteh came close in the 24th and 29th. Eventually, the opening goal came courtesy of an own goal. In the 39th minute, Zaroury delivered an excellent cross towards Tetteh, and Vas, attempting to clear the danger before the striker could finish, inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to make it 0-1.
The Greens could have doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time through Tetteh. Paksi’s best opportunities before the break came in the 2nd minute through Lenzser and in the 18th through Papp.
Panathinaikos returned for the second half with even greater intensity, determined to extend their advantage. After threatening through Tetteh in the 49th minute and Cerin in the 53rd, they found the goal they deserved in the 56th. Following a well-worked move, the ball reached Andino after a defensive deflection. The Argentine forward raced through on goal and calmly finished past the goalkeeper to make it 0-2. Although the assistant referee initially raised his flag for offside, the referee correctly awarded the goal.
Further excellent chances followed for Tetteh (58′) and Jagusic (60′), but instead of Panathinaikos adding a third, Paksi pulled one back against the run of play in the 71st minute through Böde, who had also struck the post eight minutes earlier.
The Greens responded by creating more opportunities through Pellistri (80′), Kyriakopoulos (85′) and Rastoder (90+1′), but the score remained unchanged. Panathinaikos now return to Athens aiming to seal qualification in the second leg.
Paksi: Kovácsik, Szekszárdi (46′ Győrfi), Vas, Szabó, Lenzser (81′ Kuzma), Vécsei, Balogh, Zeke, Papp (62′ Horváth), Hahn (62′ Pethő), Szalai (62′ Böde).
Panathinaikos: Peña, Tsapras, Kyriakopoulos, De Vrij, Touba, Camara, Cerin (64′ Chirivélla), Zaroury (69′ Pellistri), Jagusic (78′ Kontouris), Andino (69′ Pantelidis), Tetteh (64′ Rastoder).
