Panathinaikos is preparing for the double match against Ajax in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League. On the horizon, of course, there is securing the presence in European groups and the Dutch find the “green” in front of them again in an official game, after an 8-year absence.
Of course we are talking about times when Panathinaikos was in a very different situation. And Carlos Zeca he is the only one from that team who was present even then, in the groups of the second tier European inter-club competition.
That November 24, 2016 was special. Apart from the new meeting of the two clubs that will of course be forever united by the grand final of the Champions Cup of ’71 and the semi-finals of ’96, the “clover” then came face to face with a team that caused admiration. Peter Bosz’s XI that night had an average age of 20.8 years!
Ajax’s side had an average age of 20.8 years last night.
They beat Panathinaikos 2-0. ???? pic.twitter.com/eMZEeBSsIV
— Football Tweet ?? (@Football__Tweet) November 25, 2016
THE Andre Onana was in the goalposts, with the Cameroonian now at Manchester United and having starred in Inter’s run to the Champions League final in 2023. In front of him, he had Kenny Tete, now a member of Fulham, while of course Matthias De Licht he took those steps that made him Ajax’s leader and sent him all the way to Juventus and Bayern Munich.
Las Sene in midfield would later play a key role in the epic season where the Dutch reached the semi-finals against Tottenham and were knocked out in the last second by Lucas Moura’s goal. Donnie Van de Beekwas also “flying out” to arrive one day to play for Manchester United, while in the starting line-up there was also the terribly unlucky Abdelak Nuri.
As you know, in July 2017, at the age of 20, he suffered a heart attack on the pitch in a warm-up match, which left him with a severe brain injury that changed his life completely. He is no longer in a coma, he is conscious, but simply communicates with his family members, being bedridden…
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
