Belief and determination to qualify for Panathinaikos

THE Panathinaikos he took the first step towards a great breakthrough, but everyone in the ranks of the team knows that the mission is not complete. After the 1-0 over Marseille on Tuesday night at Leoforo, everyone in the ranks of the team was satisfied, but at the same time fully aware of what was to come. This mentality has been passed on to his players by Ivan Jovanovic, who one makes sure one does not deviate from the big goal, which is the qualification over Marseille. A goal that, as distant and… improbable as it seemed after the draw, now seems so possible.

In the ranks of the team there is faith and determination for the rematch. The “greens” know how they will have to face a lot of pressure from a team that plays half and… put season in these qualifiers (having spent 157 million euros on player purchases this summer), but also from its fanatical audience that will fill the “Velodrome”. The first match, however, showed how Panathinaikos can look the Marseille team in the eye and claim qualification for the Champions League playoffs. A qualification that will bring him closer to the dream of the presence of the golden groups and will ensure him a very significant income (the premium alone is 5 million euros), even if he eventually continues in the Europa League.

After yesterday’s day off, the “greens” today return to Koropi to work hard for next Tuesday’s rematch (10pm). Ivan Jovanovic doesn’t face any competitive problems beyond the given absence of Bart Schenkefeld, who is out of the list anyway. The Serbian technician he will not line up in Marseille a passive teambut he wants to absorb opponents’ pressure and threaten.

Moreover, the works for the OAKA playing field, which will host the next European games of Panathinaikos, either in the groups or in the playoffs with Braga (which is… confident after the 3-0 win over Batska Topola), continue at an intensive pace. At the same time, contacts continue for the acquisition of a defensive midfielder.