Panathinaikos earned an away win in Kavala on the final matchday of the Greek Cup League Phase, securing direct qualification to the quarter-finals.
The Greens, who lined up with many changes in the starting eleven, defeated the team of Kavala by 2–1 at the “Anthi Karayianni” Stadium, recorded a perfect four wins out of four in the competition, and sealed their place in the top four of the standings.
Two fine finishes by Mladenovic and Taborda — who scored his maiden goal for the Shamrock — secured the victory, while Panathinaikos also hit the post twice through Kotsiras and Nikas.
Panathinaikos threatened as early as the 2nd minute with a header by Swiderski. However, the Polish striker soon felt unwell and was replaced by Pantovic in the 8th minute. The Greens found the back of the net in the 18th minute following a well-worked move down the right flank and a cross from the newly introduced Serbian forward. Although Kavala’s defense initially cleared the ball, Mladenovic followed up the play and fired a right-footed shot from inside the box to open the scoring (0–1).
Injury misfortune continued, as Pantovic was forced off in the 28th minute after just 20 minutes of action, making way for Bocos due to discomfort. As if that were not enough, Kavala were awarded a penalty after a duel between Mladenovic and Katsoulidis, and in the 34th minute Sifnaios converted from the spot to equalize (1–1).
Panathinaikos had the chance to go into halftime ahead, but in the 43rd minute Bocos’ finish was blocked at the last moment by Aliatidis.
The second half began with Djuricic replacing Bregou. Rafa Benítez’s side came close to scoring in the 52nd minute with a direct free kick by Vilhena, who returned to the starting lineup after 16 months. The 1–2 goal came shortly after, in the 53rd minute, when the Greens moved the ball quickly. Djuricic laid it off to Taborda, who unleashed a superb low shot from the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball into the net. It was the Argentine midfielder’s first goal in a Panathinaikos shirt.
Panathinaikos came close to scoring twice more before the 70th minute but were denied by the woodwork. In the 56th minute, following a corner kick clearance, Kotsiras struck a magnificent volley from 30 meters, with the ball hitting the crossbar and then Giannikoglou’s body before going out for a corner. Then in the 69th minute, after a cross by Mancini, Nikas’ looping header once again struck the crossbar.
In between, Kavala had a good chance in the 59th minute when Sifnaios fired wide. The final stages of the match saw Panathinaikos in full control, comfortably securing the win and qualification.
Kavala: Giannikoglou, Katsoulidis, Dionellis (46’ Kollaras), Aliatidis (83’ Xygoros), Hrustinets, Gavriilidis, R. Bregou, El Kandousi (76’ Kountouriotis), Papadopoulos (58’ Roimbas), Spandonidis (58’ Voriazidis), Sifnaios.
Panathinaikos: Kotsaris, Ingason, Fikaj, Kotsiras, Mladenovic, Mancini, Vilhena, Bregou (46’ Djuricic), Nikas (82’ Chirivella), Taborda, Swiderski (8’ Pantovic, 28’ Bokos).
