European Panathinaikos loudly declared its presence in the Europa League’s League Phase opener. Christos Kontis’ Greens were spectacular in Bern, celebrating a great 1 -4 victory over Young Boys! The Shamrock responded dynamically after the negative start in the league, showing its tremendous potential and huge mental reserves as a team.
Anass Zaroury was sensational on the Wankdorf pitch, scoring for the first time with the Panathinaikos shirt. And he did it in the most emphatic way, stamping his mark on the team’s great triumph with an incredible hat-trick! Karol Swiderski paved the way for the four-goal win, while all the Greens were excellent on a memorable European night for the club.
The Shamrock made the best possible start to the match. After two big chances for Swiderski in the 2nd and 8th minutes and a great save by Lafont in the 6th minute in a one-on-one with Fassnacht, the Greens found the net. In the 10th minute, Bakasetas passed to Zaroury, who crossed to the far post, where Tete made a bouncing pass toward Swiderski. The Polish striker followed the ball’s trajectory, which rose high, and cleverly scored with his back to goal (0-1).
Panathinaikos’ attacking crescendo continued. In the 14th minute, after a corner by Renato Sanches and a temporary clearance by the Swiss defense, Zaroury fired a thunderous shot from inside the box, sending the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs into the net for 0-2! The perfect start was completed with a third goal before the first 20 minutes were up! In the 19th minute, Bakasetas shot powerfully from outside the box, Keller failed to clear properly, and Zaroury, who followed the play, scored on the rebound with his left for an impressive 0-3!
Young Boys tried to react and reduced the score (1-3) in the 25th minute with a Janko finish, and until halftime they threatened three more times: in the 37th with Monteiro, in the 40th with Males, and in the 42nd with Fassnacht.
The Greens regrouped at halftime and came out determined to secure the win. Their first threat came in the 55th minute with a strong curling shot from Kotsiras that went just wide, while shortly after (58’) Bakasetas also came close with a shot from the edge of the box that went into Keller’s hands.
It was clear the Greens once again had full control of the match. The fourth goal was just a matter of time, and indeed it came in the 69th minute by the incredible Zaroury again! Kotsiras delivered a “sweet” cross, and the Moroccan made the run inside the box and finished superbly with his right foot from the penalty spot for the stunning 1-4.
Christos Kontis and his players managed the rest of the match perfectly, and the final whistle found them celebrating in front of the Shamrock fans who gave strong support from the stands.
Young Boys: Keller, Janko (77’ Andrews), Zesiger, Hadjam, Benito, Fernandes, Gigovic (67’ Raveloson), Males, Fassnacht (77’ Pech), Monteiro (67’ Coley), Bedia (67’ Cordoba).
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Kotsiras, Mladenovic, Ingason, Toumba, Siopis, Renato Sanches (76’ Chirivella), Bakasetas (85’ Taborda), Zaroury (70’ Kyriakopoulos), Tete (76’ Calabria), Swiderski (70’ Dessers).
