Panathinaikos Vs Lens

On Thursday evening, Panathinaikos will welcome Lens to the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis for the second leg of their Europa Conference League playoff tie. After suffering a 2-1 defeat in France last week, the hosts will need to overturn a one-goal deficit to advance to the group stage.

Panathinaikos’ Recent Form and European Aspirations:

Panathinaikos, one of Greece’s most storied football clubs, has had a rollercoaster ride in recent seasons. Between 2019 and 2022, they experienced fluctuating fortunes in the Greek Super League, finishing fifth once and fourth twice. Despite these respectable positions, they struggled to maintain a consistent challenge for the title.

The 2022-23 season saw Panathinaikos start strongly, topping the league after 26 matches with 61 points. They held a narrow two-point lead over AEK Athens with 10 matches remaining in the post-split phase. However, their form faltered as the season progressed, and they ultimately finished in second place, five points adrift of AEK, who claimed the championship. This result marked the continuation of Panathinaikos’ wait for their first Super League title since the 2009-10 season.

The 2023-24 season brought further disappointment as Panathinaikos failed to build on their previous efforts. They finished fourth in the pre-split phase with 56 points and remained in fourth post-split, ending the season with 72 points, eight points behind the champions PAOK. Despite these setbacks, finishing in fourth place did grant Panathinaikos the opportunity to compete in European competitions for the following season.

In the 2024-25 European campaign, Panathinaikos sought to build on their previous European exploits. They began with a comfortable 6-1 aggregate victory over Botev Plovdiv in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. However, their progress was halted in the third round by Ajax, where they faced a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 aggregate draw. A last-minute equalizer by Tete in the second leg kept their hopes alive, but they ultimately succumbed to a 13-12 defeat in the penalty shootout.

The Greek side’s domestic season also started on a disappointing note with a 1-0 defeat to Asteras Aktor in their opening Greek Super League fixture. Their first leg against Lens further compounded their woes, as they lost 2-1 in France. Nevertheless, Panathinaikos managed to regain some form in their most recent match, narrowly defeating newly-promoted Levadiakos 1-0, thanks to a dramatic 96th-minute winner from Andraz Sporar. This victory has provided a glimmer of hope for Diego Alonso’s side as they prepare for the crucial second leg.

Lens’ Strong Start to the Season:

In contrast to Panathinaikos, Lens has enjoyed a strong start to the 2024-25 season. Under the guidance of new manager Will Still, who took over in July 2024, Lens has displayed impressive form. Still’s tenure began positively with a successful pre-season, where Lens won four and drew one of their five friendlies.

The momentum from pre-season has carried into their competitive fixtures. Lens commenced their campaign with a dominant 1-0 victory over Angers, followed by their first-leg triumph against Panathinaikos. They continued their strong performances with a 2-0 win against Brest in their most recent match.

Last season saw Lens drop from a second-place finish in 2022-23 to seventh place by the end of the 2023-24 season. The club’s management will be eager for Still to maintain their winning form and guide Lens back up the league standings.

With the advantage of a 2-1 lead from the first leg and their current strong form, Lens enters the second leg as the favorites to progress. Their solid performances in both domestic and European competitions suggest they are well-prepared for the challenge ahead. Panathinaikos, on the other hand, must overcome the deficit and demonstrate their resilience if they are to secure a place in the group stage.

For Panathinaikos, the second leg presents a pivotal opportunity to redeem their season and achieve their goal of consecutive European group-stage appearances. The challenge will be significant, but their recent victory over Levadiakos could provide the boost needed to mount a successful comeback.

The second leg at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis promises to be an intriguing encounter. Panathinaikos will need to harness their home advantage and overcome their one-goal deficit to advance. Meanwhile, Lens will aim to continue their strong start and secure their place in the Europa Conference League group stage. As the two sides prepare for this decisive clash, the outcome will hinge on Panathinaikos’ ability to rectify their first-leg deficit and Lens’ capacity to maintain their impressive form.