It’s a real pitty and injustice! Panathinaikos deserved a lot but ended up with nothing from the matches against Rangers. The Greens, just like at Ibrox, were superior, gave everything, created huge chances, took the lead, but a single moment of inattention shattered their dream. Their many clear opportunities didn’t turn into goals, and thus the final 1-1 wasn’t enough to send the Shamrock through to the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
Panathinaikos let themselves down after an overall impressive performance in both legs against Rangers. Still, if there’s something encouraging amidst the bitterness of elimination, it’s the overall display by Rui Vitória’s team, which showed they’re on the right track…
However, Panathinaikos’ European journey doesn’t end here. The Greens will continue in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, where they’ll face either Shakhtar or Beşiktaş (starting next Thursday, 7/8).
Panathinaikos, boosted by the fiery crowd at OAKA, started the match with determination and pressed Rangers hard, creating serious gaps in the Scots’ defense. After sustained pressure, they threatened first in the 5th minute with a powerful shot by Bakasetas that went just wide.
A minute later, another great moment followed when Djuricic combined beautifully with Ioannidis, who found himself near the six-yard box from a narrow angle. His shot was difficult and saved by Butland. In the 14th minute, the Rangers’ keeper again denied Pellistri in a one-on-one after a press and steal. Butland also reacted well in the 17th minute to a diagonal shot by Kyriakopoulos, and again in the 21st to a powerful header from Ioannidis following a fine cross from Pellistri.
Panathinaikos’ attacking wave continued with another big chance in the 28th minute, when Djuricic stole the ball and passed to Pellistri, who shot just wide from the penalty spot. Despite their dominance and clear chances, the Greens ended the first half at 0-0.
In the second half, Panathinaikos didn’t start with the same pace but maintained full control. With patience, they found their moment. In the 54th minute, Bakasetas crossed, Djuricic broke behind the defense, and headed past Butland to make it 1-0. Initially ruled offside, the goal was correctly awarded after VAR review as the Serbian attacker was onside.
The momentum favored Panathinaikos, but one lapse changed everything. Rangers became threatening for the first time in the 60th minute. In their first real chance, they equalized (1-1) as Gassama, right after coming on, found space and scored.
Rangers’ goal shook Panathinaikos, though they came close to 2-1 in the 70th minute. Tete’s cross-shot was inches from being tapped in by either Maksimovic or Ioannidis. No matter what Vitória and his players tried, they couldn’t find the second goal to revive their qualification hopes.
The fans’ applause at the end was a well-deserved reward for the Greens’ immense effort…
Panathinaikos lineup: Dragowski, Kotsiras (66’ Cerin), Kyriakopoulos, Toumba, Palmer-Brown (77’ Jedvaj), Chirivella, Maksimovic, Bakasetas (66’ Tete), Pellistri, Djuricic (77’ Swiderski), Ioannidis (84’ Jeremejeff)
Rangers lineup: Butland, Tavernier, Aarons, Souttar, Djiga, Rothwell (82’ Bajrami), Raskin, Diomande, Dowell (73’ Hefte), Curtis (59’ Gassama), Danilo (82’ Dessers)
