The captain Zeca’s farewell wasn’t accompanied by a victory, even though Panathinaikos deserved to end the season with a win in the derby against Olympiacos. The Greens were superior, dominated the game, created many clear chances to score, but were ultimately defeated 1-0 in the final matchday of the Stoiximan Super League play-offs.
The first half was dominated by Panathinaikos, who controlled the tempo and created clear scoring chances. In the 11th minute, Tzolakis got to the ball before and blocked it. In the 22nd minute, the Polish striker once again was in position but failed to connect well, allowing Ortega to clear.
In the 25th minute, Vagiannidis delivered a low cross, but none of Limnios, Swiderski, or Maksimovic managed to shoot from close range. In the 33rd minute, it was Ounahi’s turn to come close, but his powerful low shot was saved brilliantly by Tzolakis in the bottom corner. The Moroccan midfielder had another chance in the 42nd minute, but his shot went over the bar.
Panathinaikos kept their attacking intensity in the second half, pressing for the goal with great intent. In the 51st minute, Swiderski’s powerful shot hit the right post. In the 56th, Tete’s diagonal shot was pushed to a corner by Tzolakis with his foot.
But instead of Panathinaikos scoring, completely against the run of play, Olympiacos found the net without even creating a real chance. VAR and the referee spotted a penalty for Ingason’s challenge on Yaremchuk, and El Kaabi converted from the spot in the 60th minute. In the 70th, Olympiacos threatened for the first time in open play with El Kaabi, but Dragowski was alert to save.
In the 78th minute, the OAKA crowd rose to its feet to give Zeca a standing ovation as he played his final match in a Panathinaikos jersey. It was his 275th appearance with the Shamrock. In the same minute, Magnusson also entered the pitch, playing for the first time since September 25, 2023.
Panathinaikos had one last big chance in the 85th minute, after a great long pass from Magnusson, a cutback by Swiderski, and a finish by Jeremejeff. But Tzolakis made a header save to preserve the visitors’ lead. Despite the Shamrock’s great effort, the final whistle didn’t bring the desired result.
Panathinaikos fans warmly applauded the team and bid farewell to the great Zeca, who ended a remarkable football career.
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis (78’ Kotsiras), Mladenovic, Palmer-Brown (78’ Magnusson), Ingason, Maksimovic (78’ Zeca), Cerin, Ounahi, Tete, Limnios (68’ Jeremejeff), Swiderski.
Olympiacos: Tzolakis, Costinha, Ortega (62’ Bruno), Biancone, Pirola, Garcia (62’ Hezze), Mouzakitis, Chiquinho (86’ Stamenic), Palma (62’ Rodinei), Yaremchuk (86’ Papakanellos), El Kaabi.
During halftime, Panathinaikos’ volleyball team was honored for winning the championship.
