Panathinaikos deserved the win but had to settle for a 2–2 draw with Viktoria Plzen and will now fight for qualification in Czechia. The Greens reacted well despite conceding an early goal, showed character, played good football, and turned the match around with Andreas Tetteh as the main protagonist and scorer, but a moment of inattention led to the equalizer.
Panathinaikos tried to press Viktoria Plzen early in the match, however they were caught by surprise and fell behind after ten minutes. In the 11th minute, Lawal shot, Lafont saved, Cerv collected the ball and laid it off to Visinsky, who opened the scoring for the visitors with a powerful strike.
The Greens needed some time to find their rhythm and regain confidence. In the 31st minute, in their first clear chance, they equalized (1–1). Bakasetas combined nicely on the left with Kyriakopoulos, who delivered a superb cross into the heart of the box. Tetteh, with a powerful header, sent the ball into the net, scoring on his European debut with Panathinaikos.
At the start of the second half (51’), the Greens had a big double chance with Tetteh, denied by Wiegele, while Viktoria Plzen threatened in the 55th minute with Memic. Lafont made a crucial save and then bravely dived at Souare’s feet before he could shoot from a favorable position.
In the 61st minute, it was Tetteh’s moment again. The international striker dribbled brilliantly past Spacil, entered the box from a wide position, and with a diagonal shot into the far corner made it 2–1, completing the comeback. He also became the second player in Panathinaikos history after Ezequiel González to score twice on his European debut.
Panathinaikos dominated and searched for a third goal. However, against the run of play, they conceded the equalizer (2–2). Landra curled a shot from outside the box into the net despite Lafont’s effort. In the remaining time, the Greens pushed for a winning goal but could not find it and will now play for qualification in Czechia next Thursday.
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Ingason, Touba (83’ Hernández), Palmer-Brown, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Renato Sanches, Bakasetas, Taborda (65’ Andino), Pantovic (64’ Djuricic), Tetteh (78’ Swiderski).
Viktoria Plzen: Wiegele, Doski, Memic, Spacil, Dweh, Cerv (75’ Valenta), Hrosovsky, Visinsky (75’ Sojka), Souare (88’ Adu), Panos (58’ Landra), Lawal (58’ Vyndra).
