Panathinaikos took the first step towards qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup. The Greens were superior throughout the match, prevailing 2-1 over Atromitos in Peristeri and are awaiting the rematch of OAKA to seal their ticket to the next phase in their attempt to defend their title.

Although the game started with bad omens as the home team took the lead before the end of the first quarter, Rui Vitoria’s players put up an excellent fight on the pitch, achieving a complete turnaround. In a match in which the Portuguese coach made a wide rotation, the Greens responded wonderfully and showed that they had finally left behind the misstep against Atromitos for the championship.

Atromitos opened the scoring in its first “visit” to Panathinaikos’ area. In the 8th minute, Michorl shot from outside the area, Lodygin blocked it but Van Weert took the rebound and scored accurately from a wide position for 1-0.

Panathinaikos took complete control of the game, reaching 71% possession of the ball. However, the Greens had difficulty creating chances until the 25th minute. At that point, Kaloskamis stepped on Unahi inside the area but neither the referee nor the VAR saw the violation. In fact, instead of a penalty, the Moroccan midfielder was given a yellow card!

The Greens touched the goal in the 29th minute after a cross from Cerin and a header from Arao, which “marked” the left post of Koselev. In the 44th minute, Brorsson made a dangerous tackle with both feet on Unahi, but was punished with a yellow card instead of a red card!

Panathinaikos’ pressure paid off in the second half after wonderful cooperation from the Greens. In the 45th minute + 3rd minute, Arao opened the gap for Ounahi, who carried the ball and passed it to Mancini. The Argentine created the right moment for Mladenovic, who made a “sweet” cross and the incoming Cerin with a strong header made it 1-1 at the end of the 45th minute. It was Adam’s first goal of the season.

As well as Panathinaikos ended the half, they entered the second 45 minutes equally well, where after a missed opportunity by Pellistri in the 49th minute, he found his way to the net for the second time. In the 54th minute, the Greens developed wonderfully. Pellistri started a race behind the center and moved quickly on the counterattack, exchanging the ball nicely with Cerin. The Slovenian midfielder immediately played for the Uruguayan, who paved the way for Unahi who, with a wonderful shot on the move, “signed” the total reversal (1-2), scoring for the first time in the Trefoil jersey.

Then Rui Vitoria and the players managed the game excellently, comfortably maintaining the lead until the end. They had a chance with Limnios to extend the score in the 69th minute, but Koselev prevented the 1-3, as happened in the 87th minute, when the Atromitos goalkeeper blocked Bakaseta’s shot. In fact, in the development of the phase, a penalty was given for marking Tete, but with the intervention of the VAR the referee made an on-field review, overturning his initial decision. In the 90th minute, Atromitos had its only chance of the match after the goal he scored in the 8th minute, but Maksimovic was on hand and prevented the threat from Bakus’ shot, heading it away.

Atromitos: Koselev, Brorsson (46’ Stavropoulos), Tsakmakis, Mountes, Athanasiou, Ouedraogo, Karamanis (61’ Baku), Michorl, Kaloskamis (61’ Eder), Vrakas (46’ Warda), Van Weert (69’ Carlitos).

Panathinaikos: Lodygin, Kotsiras, Mladenovic, Jedvaj, Schenkeveld, Arao, Cerin (73’ Maksimovic), Ounahi (84’ Bakasetas), Mancini (64’ Limnios), Pellistri (84’ Tete), Jeremejeff (73’ Ioannidis).