Panathinaikos kicks off its Greek Cup campaign by hosting Niki Volos at 9:00 p.m. at the OAKA. The “Greens” are looking to start their run in the tournament with a win, as they already face a demanding schedule due to their European matches.
Jacob Nistrup’s team has gotten off to a perfect start to the new season. Following a successful run in the Conference League qualifiers, where they secured their spot in the League Phase, they also earned their first points in the league with a 2-0 away victory over Levadiakos.
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Now, attention turns to the Cup, a competition in which Panathinaikos is expected to set high standards. The difference in quality between the two teams is clear, but this match has its own unique dynamics, as the home team is expected to make extensive lineup changes. Fatigue from back-to-back games, as well as the need to manage the roster ahead of upcoming important matches, will very likely lead the Danish coach to make several changes to the starting lineup.
Here is Panathinaikos’s roster in detail: Peña, Kotsaris, Geitonas, Calabria, Kyriakopoulos, Katris, De Vrij, Van Drongelen, Palmer-Brown, Lavdas, Kontouris, Biniaris, Kangwa, Taborda, Louza, Jagiucic, Pelistri, Adino, Kyriopoulos, Garcia, Tetei, Rastoder, Desers, and Nebis.
Facing the “Greens” will be a team that knows it has one of the toughest challenges of the season ahead of it. Niki Volos is in the final stretch of its preparations for the new Superbet League 2 and will use this match as an important test against a very strong opponent.
The team from Magnesia has already secured a spot in the League Phase of the Cup by eliminating Panionios. The match ended scoreless in regulation, while Niki Volos was more effective in the penalty shootout, prevailing 3-1. This is the only official match Stelios Malezas’s team has played so far.
In its most recent friendly match, Niki Volos displayed an attacking mindset, defeating Ethnikos Neou Keramidion 5-1. Although there is a significant gap in skill level compared to Panathinaikos, the visitors will attempt to make the most of whatever chances they have for a positive start to the League Phase.
Here is the full roster for Niki Volos: Garavelis, Tselios, Saltas, Pasalidis, Vafeas, Panikidis, Kivrakidis, Arias, Ring, Makrygiannis, Hammond, Omeonga, Eppas, Salamouras, Tsombanis, Tzimas, Fernández, Poleto, Rios, Kalaitzidis, Pamlidis, Mantzis, Loukinas.
In terms of the roster, Panathinaikos is without Tsapra, Ingason, Tsiriveya, Kamara, Zarouri, and Pantelidis in their squad, while Christiansen has not yet reached the desired level of readiness. For Niki Volos, Malezas will be without Panakidis, Siouta, Plega, Darelas, and Tzanetopoulos, who are still not ready.
Probable starting lineups:
Panathinaikos (Nistrup): Kotsaris – Katris, Lavdas, Palmer Brown, Kyriakopoulos – Kontouris, Louza – Pelistri, Jagousic, Antino – Rastonder.
Niki Volos (Malezas): Garavelis – Arias, Vafeas, Pasalidis, Makrygiannis – Hammond, Eppas – Pamlidis, Raos, Tzimas – Mantzis.
*photo source: KYPE
