Panathinaikos did their duty, defeating Vikingur 2-0 at OAKA stadium, correcting the “misstep” of their 2-1 loss in Helsinki, and securing their ticket to the Round of 16 in the Conference League.
This is a particularly significant moment, as the Greens return to the last 16 of a European competition for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Panathinaikos will be in UEFA’s draw on Friday afternoon (February 21) to find out whether they will face Italian side Fiorentina or Austrian club Rapid Vienna in the next phase.
From the very first second, Panathinaikos showed their intention to pressure Vikingur and chase the goal. Rui Vitória’s Greens completely controlled the game and besieged the Icelandic team’s penalty area but struggled to find space for real threats.
With Panathinaikos attacking massively, Vikingur found some openings, and in a dangerous counterattack in the 22nd minute, Sigurpálsson beat Dragowski’s charge and attempted a shot from a tight angle. However, Maksimovic, who played as a central defender, cleared the danger before the ball crossed the goal line. At the 31st minute, Panathinaikos had a great opportunity after a pass from Ounahi to Ioannidis, but the captain couldn’t find the net. A similar chance occurred in the 36th minute when a Mladenovic cross found Tete, but he couldn’t finish the play.
Vikingur had a threatening moment in the 40th minute with Ingimundarson, who missed from a tight angle under pressure from Ingason. The first half could have ended with Panathinaikos in the lead, but a shot from Maksimovic inside the box, after a brilliant individual effort by Tete, narrowly missed the target.
Ten minutes into the second half, with Panathinaikos unable to create clear chances, Rui Vitória introduced Swiderski and Vagiannidis. In the 59th minute, Tete threatened with a direct free kick that went slightly wide, and in the 70th minute, the goal finally came. After intense pressure and a long spell of attacking play inside Vikingur’s box, the ball reached Mladenovic, who unleashed a fantastic curling shot into the net!
Panathinaikos gained confidence, remained calm and patient, and clinically sealed the victory in stoppage time (90+4’). Swiderski flicked a header to Djuricic, who shot from inside the box. Jonsson made the save with his feet, but the ball rebounded to Tete, who smashed it into the net for 2-0—just as he did in the crucial summer qualifier against Lens. This was the Brazilian’s 10th goal of the season!
Panathinaikos is through to the Round of 16!
Panathinaikos: Dragowski, Kotsiras (56′ Vagiannidis), Mladenovic, Ingason, Maksimovic, Siopis, Cerin (56′ Swiderski), Ounahi, Tete, Djuricic (90+6′ Arao), Ioannidis.
Vikingur: Jonsson, Ibrahimagits, Ekroth, Thorkelson, Atlason (66′ Gunnarsson), Agnarsson (66′ Hansen), Hafsteinsson (81′ Vatnhamar), Thrandarson (55′ Vilhamsson), Gudjonsson, Ingimundarson, Sigurpálsson.
