Panathinaikos came off a major qualification victory over Viktoria Plzeň to reach the Europa League Round of 16 and made full use of the momentum. The Greens of Rafa Benítez secured a 3–1 win over Aris on Matchday 23 of the Stoiximan Super League, confirming the team’s upward trajectory.
Javi Hernández paved the way to victory with his first goal in green, while Vicente Taborda and Andreas Tetteh, who both came off the bench, helped seal the three points on a night when Panathinaikos showed character and maturity.
With seven changes to the starting lineup compared to last Thursday’s big second leg in Plzeň, Rafa Benítez aimed to freshen up the squad. The Greens started with intensity and opened the scoring before the first ten minutes were completed through an excellent set-piece combination. In the 9th minute, Andino passed to Cerin, who delivered a low cross to the near post. Pantelidis beautifully redirected the ball toward the far post, where Hernández made a quick, unmarked run and tapped it into the net for 1–0.
Panathinaikos could have scored again in the first half through Swiderski (23’), Kontouris (30’) and Jedvaj (45+1’), while Aris had a big chance in the 27th minute with an impressive bicycle kick from Kadewere that struck Lafont’s right post.
The second half began at a slower tempo. Rafa Benítez made a double substitution in the 56th minute, bringing on Taborda and Djuricic to strengthen the attacking midfield. In the 65th minute, after a wonderful combination between Kyriakopoulos and Duricic, the Serbian delivered a precise low cross to Taborda, who entered the box, controlled the ball beautifully, and finished perfectly for 2–0, scoring his fifth goal for the Shamrock.
Aris attempted to get back into the match and reduced the score in the 72nd minute with a powerful shot by Racic. Although VAR called the referee for an on-field review, the goal stood despite a potential offensive foul by Alfarela on Kontouris.
The Greens sealed the win in the 80th minute. Tetteh had just come on as a substitute and scored with his very first touch. Specifically, just 28 seconds after entering the pitch, following a well-taken free kick by Taborda, Athanasiadis fumbled the ball, and the Greek international striker reacted instantly, pushing it into the net to make it 3–1. It was Tetteh’s sixth goal for Panathinaikos, having also scored in the previous four matches against Plzeň, OFI, Plzeň again, and Aris.
Moussa Sissoko made his debut for Panathinaikos, coming on late in the match.
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Jedvaj, Katris, Hernández, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Kontouris (88’ Sissoko), Cerin (88’ Bakasetas), Pantelidis (56’ Taborda), Andino (56’ Duricic), Swiderski (79’ Tetteh).
Aris: Athanasiadis, Fadiga (60’ Frydek), Mendil (46’ Tejero), Fabiano, Sundberg, Hongla, Racic, Garré, Pérez, Donis (46’ Alfarela), Kadewere (83’ Kouamé).
