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Panathinaikos took a 2-0 lead but gifted a goal to Botev Plovdiv, and the final score of 2-1 gives them a small advantage for the return match.
Panathinaikos could have won more easily, having led 2-0. However, they gifted a goal to Botev, and in a week, the greens will head to Plovdiv for a battle to seal their qualification to the third qualifying round of the Europa League. From the start, Panathinaikos was eager to “smother” Botev. With the signature style of Diego Alonso, the clover applied high pressure and showed intensity. In fact, in the first action, the greens were fortunate to take the lead.
In the 8th minute, from a long ball – clearance from Mladenovic from the midfield, Geremeyeff broke through the defensive line and with a right-footed shot, despite the intervention of Botev’s defender Tam, the ball ended up in the right corner for 1-0. In the 13th minute, Panathinaikos was close to 2-0. Mancini crossed from the right, and Geremeyeff in the small area with a diving effort sent the ball out. At that point, Botev tried to balance the match, with Enuatsouku attempting a cross in the 17th minute that was cleared by Dragovski, and in the 18th minute, Aker’s right-footed shot from the penalty spot was weak and caught by the Polish goalkeeper.
In Turkey, it is claimed that television producer Esat Yontudj played a crucial role in the transfer of Tetê to Panathinaikos.
In the 21st minute, Geremeyeff had another big chance. After a cross from Vagyanidis from the right, the Swedish forward sent the ball to the left of the goal post with his right foot in the small area. Penalty and 2-0. In the 37th minute, Panathinaikos had another good chance. After a cross from the right, Vilena took a left-footed shot from inside the penalty area, and Tam cleared it before Igonen. If the ball had passed, it is uncertain whether the goalkeeper would have had a reply. In the 40th, following a corner by Mancini from the left, Araó‘s header at the near post went out, and in the 43rd, Panathinaikos won a penalty. Juristic was fouled by Tam during a breakthrough, and Bakaseitas took the penalty, scoring with a powerful shot at the center to make it 2-0. In the second half, Panathinaikos started with the intention of finishing off any discussions about qualification.
In the 46th minute, Geremeyeff failed to execute from the penalty spot and committed a foul, while in the 47th, he didn’t see Mancini’s movement and from 25 meters attempted a right-footed shot that went out. In the 54th, Panathinaikos was close to 3-0, but Vagyanidis‘s powerful left-footed shot was saved by Igonen, and then cleared by the defense for a corner. In the 62nd, Eto escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Mladenovic. The foul was executed by Bakaseitas, but the ball went high and out. Mistake and 2-1. Panathinaikos now looked tired; Kerkes brought on Sekulic and Korosets, and they gave them a goal. In the 70th minute, due to a mistake by Vilena, Botev intercepted the ball, Sekulic crossed from the right to Korosets, and he reduced the score to 2-1 with an empty net.
Post Panathinaikos was unlucky in the 78th minute. Juristic from the left in the penalty area took a curling right-footed shot; the ball hit the crossbar and went out, and then Geremeyeff sent it out with his chest from the small area. Penalty canceled. In the 83rd, Panathinaikos was relieved from a heart attack. A miscommunication in the center between Senkeveld and Yedvai led to a foul on Ukaki, who came on as a substitute, went alone against Dragovski, lost his balance, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. However, Fuxam was called to check the VAR and canceled the penalty.
The MVP
Juristic had a very good game. He showed determination, individual actions, and earned the penalty for 2-0. In the 2-1, he was unlucky with the post.
WHERE THE MATCH WAS DECIDED
Panathinaikos held the fluid 1-0, and in the 43rd minute, before the end of the first half, Juristic earned the penalty, which Bakaseitas converted. An important goal at a crucial point in time.
THE LINEUPS
Panathinaikos (Diego Alonso): Dragovski, Vagyanidis, Mladenovic, Senkeveld (89’ Ingason), Yedvai, Araó, Vilena (74’ Maximovic), Mancini (74’ Limnios), Bakaseitas, Juristic (89’ Verbic), Geremeyeff (78’ Sporar).
Botev Plovdiv (Dusan Kerkes): Igonen, Minkov, Baloyannis, Konde, Tam, Eto (63’ Korosets), Pereira (70’ Karabeliov), Aker (80’ Diabate), Popov (80’ Ukaki), Enuatsouku, Uzhah (70’ Sekulic).