Kifissia and Panathinaikos face off for the second time in six days, with the team from the northern suburbs hosting (September 16) at 9:45 p.m. the “Clover” at the “Apostolos Nikolaidis” Stadium for the third matchday of the League Phase of the Greek Cup.
In their previous meeting, Jacob Nystrup’s team prevailed 3-1 at OAKA against Sebastian Leto’s side, which was reduced to 10 men—rightly so—in the 63rd minute, to secure their third straight win and move into first place in the league.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Now, Panathinaikos is looking for one more “three-pointer,” this time for a 2-2 record that will keep them in the hunt for a spot in the top four and grant them direct qualification to the next round of the Cup. Having prevailed with a “meager” 1-0 victory in their opening match of the tournament against Niki Volos at the Olympic Stadium.
Nistrup decided to rest Van Drongelen, Luzá, and García, while the injured Taborda and the unprepared Tsiriveya and Christiansen were left out. On the other hand, the “Greens’” 23-man roster includes new signing Salah-Eddin, whom we’ll actually see in… action, as Niatroup is expected to make extensive rotations among the starting 11.
The Panathinaikos roster consists of: Penia, Kotsaris, Geitonas, Kalabria, Kyriakopoulos, Salah-Eddin, Tsapras, Katris, De Vrij, Palmer – Brown, Lavdas, Kamara, Kontouris, Biniaris, Kangwa, Ounai, Jaguscic, Pelistri, Antino, Tetei, Desers, Rastonder, and Nebis.
At the same time, Kifissia needs to “bounce back” from its “setback” and the 2-2 draw with Marko, who equalized in the fourth minute of stoppage time, in the first round of the Superbet Cup and keep their hopes alive for a spot in the 5th–12th place bracket and the playoffs.
However, they have only one win so far this season! It came in the qualifying round of the tournament, a 6-2 victory in Zakynthos on August 19. Since then, they haven’t tasted victory, recording three draws and two losses.
Kifissia’s roster:
Anagnostopoulos, Roberts, Apostolakis, Petkov, Kaloskamis, Abanda, Polykratis, Hugo Souza, Zoliboua, Manso, Doiranlis, Pombo, Benny, Rukounakis, Yagne, Manganas, Antonise, Theodoridis, Emboula, Pateras, Saghal, Klimathianos, Christopoulos.
It should be noted, however, that Leoforos will be… packed with fans of the “visiting team,” since Panathinaikos has made sure to secure tickets for its supporters. Given that this is the penultimate home game of the season, a massive turnout of their fans is expected to “honor” the occasion!
Possible starting lineups:
Kifissia: Anagnostopoulos, Apostolakis, Kaloskamis, Zolimopoua, Polykratis, Doiranlis, Yagne, Manganas, Pateras, Emboula, Christopoulos.
Panathinaikos: Kotsaris, Tsapras, Palmer – Brown, Katris, Salah-Eddin, Kontouris, Kangwa, Pelistri, Ounai, Jagsic, Rastonder.
*photo source: KYPE
