This is the European Panathinaikos! Rui Vitória’s Greens achieved a crucial 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in the first leg of the Conference League Round of 16, making a valuable step toward reaching the quarter-finals.
The Shamrock showed great character, played exceptionally well, scored three goals, created major chances, and demonstrated their enormous potential against a strong Italian side that has reached two consecutive Conference League finals. Half of the job was done in the fiery atmosphere of OAKA, and now the Greens will play for a historic qualification in the return leg at Artemio Franchi on March 13.
The match had a frantic start. Panathinaikos entered the field aggressively, suffocating Fiorentina and opening the score just in the 5th minute Djuricic, after an excellent effort, passed to Maksimović, who set up Świderski. The Polish forward executed a magnificent chipped shot, sending the ball into Viola’s net.
The 2-0 came quickly as Panathinaikos continued to control the game and press the Italian team. In the 19th minute, Djuricic once again carried the ball forward and fired a low shot, forcing Terracciano into a shaky save. Maksimović, who was lurking, reacted immediately and scored from close range, making it 2-0.
Despite having the momentum, Panathinaikos paid for two moments of defensive lapse and conceded two goals in just three minutes. In the 20th minute, Gosens crossed from the left, and Beltrán reduced the score to 2-1. In the 23rd minute, Gosens again assisted Fagioli, who fired a shot inside the box. The ball deflected off Arao’s leg, changing direction before hitting the net.
The quick equalizer seemed to unsettle Panathinaikos, but they managed to go into halftime with a 2-2 scoreline. After clearing their minds, Rui Vitória’s team returned for the second half with determination and energy. The Greens dominated the game and in the 55th minute, they found the third goal. Siopis delivered a brilliant pass to Djuricic, who sent a parallel ball into Fiorentina’s box. Świderski made a clever movement, creating space for the oncoming Tete, who finished first-time with his left foot, placing the ball perfectly into Terracciano’s right corner.
The 3-2 boosted Panathinaikos’ confidence even more, and they controlled the remainder of the match, creating three major chances for a fourth goal. In the 65th minute, Świderski’s header went just wide; in the 70th minute, Ounahi’s shot was saved by Fiorentina’s goalkeeper; and in the 83rd minute, Djuricic struck the post after Terracciano had made an initial save.
At the final whistle, the team and the fans celebrated a crucial European victory ahead of the big second leg in Florence!
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kotsiras (34’ Vagiannidis), Mladenović, Ingason, Arao, Siopis, Maksimović (76’ Čerin), Ounahi, Tete, Djuricic (92’ Mancini), Świderski (76’ Ioannidis).
Fiorentina: Terracciano, Moreno, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens, Dodô, Mandragora, Richardson (59’ Cataldi), Fagioli (75’ Parisi), Beltrán (75’ Gudmundsson), Kean.
