Panathinaikos is ready to make a splash and get off to a strong start in the Conference League. After their tremendous effort this summer in the qualifiers—where they went 3-0— it’s time for them to reap the rewards of their success, as they kick off the League Phase of the third-tier European club competition.
The “Clover’s” opponent is Borac Banja Luka, whom they face tonight at OAKA at 7:45 p.m., aiming for a victory—and, if possible, by a wide margin.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Jacob Nistrup’s team experienced its first minor “slump” of the season, as last Sunday, they lost 1-0 to Olympiacos in the Stoiximan Super League’s 6th-round derby. Within the team, it was mainly their performance that caused concern, but everyone knows that the match against the Bosnian team could mark the beginning of an ideal fresh start ahead of the difficult schedule that lies ahead.
On the field, the Danish coach will have Danish left back Viktor Christiansen, due to the absence of Anas Salah-Eddin, who is not on the roster.
The Shamrock’s roster: Peña, Kotsaris, Geitonas, Kalabria, Tsapras, Kyriakopoulos, Christiansen, De Vrij, Van Drongelen, Palmer-Brown, Katris, Kamara, Kangwa, Louza, Kontouris, Taborda, Ounai, Jagusic, Pelistri, Antino, Levi Garcia, Tetei, Desers, Rastonder.
On the other side of the field, an old… acquaintance. Borac is a team that Panathinaikos faced in the same competition two seasons ago, but that match was played in Bosnia and ended in a 1-1 draw. Of course, the team from Banja Luka is different from what it was back then. Borac secured direct entry into the League Phase after winning the Bosnian league title last year, and is in high spirits, coming off a 2-0 victory in the local derby against Banja Luka.
Their coach, Vinko Marinović, said during the press conference: “Panathinaikos has conceded just three goals in the Greek league, which shows that the team is well-balanced. I expect my players to give 100%, maintaining the highest level of focus and discipline throughout the entire 90 minutes.”
Probable starting lineups:
Panathinaikos (Jacob Nystrup): Peña – Calabria, De Vrij, Van Drongelen, Kyriakopoulos – Kamara, Kangwa, Ounai – Levi, Adino, Desers
Borac (Vinko Marinović): Yurkas – Jaksic, Myers, Karolina, Herrera – Esiti, Jojic, Vukovic-Hiros, Dajic, Jurisic
Referee: Bence Csónka (Hungary)
Assistant Referees: Buzas/Bornemiza (Hungary)
VAR: Tamás Bogár/Ferenc Karako
4th official: Gergő Bogár
*photo source: KYPE
