Panathinaikos let a match slip through their fingers — one that looked, and truly was, theirs until the 74th minute. Despite the total dominance of the Shamrock players, their 33 shots and many clear chances, the Greens somehow managed to lose 2-1 to Go Ahead Eagles at OAKA in the 2nd round of the Europa League League Phase.
Panathinaikos tried to be threatening from the very first second, putting huge pressure on the Dutch side. They had their first shot with Tete before the first 60 seconds were completed, while Swiderski (11’), Tete (13’) and Toumba (15’) all had chances to score.
The pressure continued and in the 28th minute, after fine ball circulation and a cross from Kotsiras, Cerin’s header was stopped by De Boer, who also saved Bakasetas’ long shot a minute later, and again denied him from inside the box at the 30th minute.
The first half ended with Panathinaikos still trying to create danger, but Zaroury (42’) and Bakasetas (43’) shot off target, while Tete’s curling attempt was punched away by De Boer.
The second half began with Panathinaikos even more aggressive. After Bakasetas fired over the bar in the 49th, the Greens finally found the goal they so desperately sought and clearly deserved. In the 55th minute, Tete delivered a corner and Swiderski scored with a brilliant header at the near post to make it 1-0.
The Shamrock nearly doubled their lead in the 60th minute, when Swiderski again threatened in the box but was blocked at the last second by Nauber.
Go Ahead Eagles created their first chance in the 66th with a powerful shot by Margarett, but Lafont was alert to save. Panathinaikos then had a huge chance to seal the win in the 74th, when Kyriakopoulos, Zaroury and Djuricic combined beautifully, but the Serbian forward (who had replaced Świderski) saw his shot saved by De Boer.
Instead of 2-0, it became 1-1. In the 75th minute, James crossed from the left and Schmitt equalized with a close-range finish. Panathinaikos could have regained the lead in the 81st after a fine through ball from Tete to Djuricic and a cutback to Kyriakopoulos, who shot just wide.
And once again, instead of 2-1, it turned into 1-2. In the 82nd minute, James crossed again from the left and once more Schmitt struck, scoring the winner for Go Ahead Eagles.
Panathinaikos: Lafont, Kotsiras (79’ Calabria), Kyriakopoulos (86’ Mladenovic), Palmer-Brown, Toumba, Chirivella, Cerin (79’ Taborda), Bakasetas (67’ Siopis), Tete, Zaroury, Swiderski (67’ Djuricic).
Go Ahead Eagles: De Boer, Nauber, Kramer, Deijl, James, Lindhorst, Meulensteen, Breum, Suray (87’ Antelgaard), Margarett (79’ Twicht), Schmitt (92’ Stockers).