Life always goes in its cycles and after Panathinaikos managed to overcome a “black” phase and leave a “dark” phase behind them in the last two years, tonight (25/7, 21:00, , LIVE by Sportish) against Dnipro, they are called upon not to miss this opportunity and to take the next step of their “return” (and) at European level.

Almost 7 years since the ‘X’ in Copenhagen with Brodby that sealed the entry of the ‘Greens’ into this Europa League’s groups (2016/17) and some 6 years since the ‘Cloverleaf’ last win in the European Cup (2-1 away at Gabala on 3rd August 2017, in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League), Panathinaikos has a big mission ahead of them, against the tough and hard-learned Ukrainian side, to get the win the first big “prize” of the year: the qualification, which at least corresponds to entering the Europa League groups.

Whatever happens in the next games against Marseille (8th or 9th and 15th August). All in good time and the Marseille team in… August. Because what is important for Panathinaikos at this moment are these two key games against Dnipro, which can “settle” him for the whole year from the start.

With valuable points in the UEFA club ranking, with prestige and confirmation of a “return” to European competitions, but also with revenues that can reach 13 to 14 million euros. Money he had forgotten from Europe for the last 6-7 years …

The Greens’ preparation for the specific first game against Dnipro ended on Monday evening (24 July) with the final training session in the Košická futbalová aréna, whose stands are expected to take on a very intense “green” color tonight (25 July) by more than 700 “Cloverleaf” fans, which will ensure a very dynamic “crowd of visitors”.

Chokai and the thought of Vilena

As for the Panathinaikos line-up, the most important ‘pending’ concerns Ruben Perez’s partner in central midfield. Based on recent training days (and Adam Cerin’s absence), Enis Chokai seems to have a significant lead over Laszlo Kleinheisler.

Unless Ivan Jovanovic wants to cause a complete upset and start Toni Vilena, who has trained well and seems to have adapted very quickly to the Serbian coach’s wishes. After all, the Dutchman’s experience from such games is valuable and therefore there is (still) this thought.

The remaining eleven positions seem to be more or less clear. Giorgos Vagiannidis, Bart Senkefeld, Hordur Magnuson and Juancar form the four-man defense in front of Alberto Brignoli. As the young right-back has had a few minor problems over the past few days, he will start tonight (25/7) as usual, apart from one shocker.

From then on, Ruben will be the “6 man” of Panathinaikos, Sebastian Palacios and Bernard Duarte will cover the two “wings” of the attack, while Filip Djuricic will be the “10 man” behind Andraz Sporar.

Fotis Ioannidis will also be in the mission and it is recalled that on Monday (7/24) Jovanovich decided to make a change in the Europe list of the Panathinaikos, in which Zeka Rodriguez entered and left Alexander Geremegev, who will stay out of the mission together with Aitor.

In detail, the 23-man Panathinaikos squad for today’s first game against Dnipro in Kozice consists of Brinioli, Lodgin, Xenopoulos, Kotsiras, Vaiannidis, Huancar, Mladenovic, Schenkefeld, Magnuson, Jedvai, Sideras, Ruben, Chokai, Bernard, Djuricic, Kleinheisler, Vilena, Mancini, Palasios, Verbits, Ioannidis, S porar and Zeka.