With a lot of anxiety, a lot of pressure and with… its heart in the mouth, Panathinaikos defeated Levadiakos 1-0 in OAKA and took the first three points in the new championship. The Greens had character and passion, but could not deliver the football they wanted and couldn’t play on OAKA’s pitch in their way. They didn’t give up, though and chased the victory until the end and thanks to the redeeming goal of Andraz Sporar in the 96th minute, they got a valuable victory that will give impetus for a better continuation.
Levadiakos tried to surprise Panathinaikos by threatening just in the 1st minute. Gianniotas caught the strong shoot from inside the area, but Dragovski with an amazing intervention and the post prevented the goal.
Panathinaikos had an immediate response as in the 3rd minute Mancini opened up nicely in space for Jeremejjev, who came out in front of Groff. The Swedish forward caught Levadiakos goalkeeper’s exit, but the shot he attempted ended up just over the crossbar.
In the 96th minute, Djuricic opened up on the left for Mladenovic, who crossed. Tete got in a terrific header, Groff and the post prevented the goal, but Sporar, following the lead, took the rebound and slotted the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Vagiannidis, Max (71′ Mladenovic), Schenkeveld, Jedvaj, Maksimovic, Cerin (76′ Arao), Bakasetas (60′ Djuricic), Pellistri (60′ Sporar), Mancini (59′ Tete), Jeremejjef.
Levadiakos: Grof, Papadopoulos, Vichos, Tsapras, Kostis (60′ Lamarana), Plegas (77′ Mejia), Balzi, Pedrozo (77′ Romo), Ozbolt (60′ Symelidis), Kassos, Gianniotas (82′ Yoke).
