Panathinaikos’ European adventure will go on! The Greens managed to draw 1-1 in Budapest against Ferencváros for Matchday 7 of the League Phase, guaranteeing their place in the Europa League knockouts.
Rafa Benítez’s team were the better side and produced a solid performance. They deserved more than a draw, as they fell behind due to a momentary lapse, despite having created the biggest chances earlier. Still, the Shamrock did not lose confidence, and thanks to a stunning goal by Zaroury in the final ten minutes, they earned a precious point that keeps their European campaign alive.
With their fans creating an incredible atmosphere and turning the Ferencváros Stadion into… Leoforos, Panathinaikos controlled the tempo from the start and limited the hosts’ attacking efforts. Until the 35th minute, the Greens dominated possession and created the best opportunities: Pelistri in the 11th and 28th minutes, and Swiderski in the 32nd.
Ferencváros pushed forward in the final ten minutes of the first half, threatening with shots from Levi (36’, 38’) and Raemakers (39’), but the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Panathinaikos came out strongly in the second half as well, producing two major chances. In the 54th minute, Palmer-Brown, after an impressive 40-meter run, received Swiderski’s pass and curled a shot that Grof saved brilliantly. Ferencváros’ goalkeeper denied them again in the 56th minute when Kyriakopoulos headed powerfully from Calabria’s cross, but Grof once more made a fine stop.
Against the run of play, the hosts took the lead. After a VAR review for a handball by Palmer-Brown, Ferencváros were awarded a penalty, and in the 62nd minute Youssouf converted calmly for 1-0.
Despite the shock, Panathinaikos responded and finally found the equalizer in the 85th minute. Zaroury, who came on as a substitute in the 74th, received the ball outside the area eleven minutes later, drove forward and unleashed a left-footed rocket into the net. It was his sixth goal of the season and fourth in the League Phase of the Europa League.
The Greens continued to push for a winner until the final whistle. They didn’t complete the comeback, but they left Budapest with an extremely valuable point.
Ferencváros: Grof, Cissé, Raemakers, Szalai (87’ Mandaras), Makreckis, Levi (73’ Otvos), Romao, Kanikovszki, Kantu, Youssouf (80’ Yosef), Zachariassen.
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Touba, Palmer-Brown (74’ Kotsiras), Ingason, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos (84’ Pantovic), Chirivélla, Renato Sanches (74’ Zaroury), Bakasetas, Pelistri, Swiderski (90+2’ Taborda).
