With a fire trio at the top, Panathinaikos is aiming for a return to the knockout rounds after 14 years

Many years have passed – too many for a club and an organization with the size and historical “weight” of Panathinaikos – since the Greens last took part in the knockout phase of the European Cups.

It was in February and March 2010, a few months before winning the last league title (which later became a double), when Panathinaikos defeated Roma in two historic games with two 3-2 victories and an unrepeatable performance from Djibril Cisse and Sotiris Nini , which was then eliminated in the “16” of the Europa League against Standard Liège with two defeats (1:3 and 0:1).

Since then, the “cloverleaf” has been through a lot, a lot, it has endured, it has been reborn from its ashes, it has embarked on a “return course”. And it is precisely this “return” process that he wants to confirm this evening ((December 14th, 7:45 p.m., COSMOTE SPORT 3 HD, MatchCenter Sportish) in the sold-out house “Apostolos Nikolaidis” in his own “final” with Maccabi Haifa, on the 6th and final matchday of this year’s Europa League groups, with the price of the ticket for the playoff entry into the “16” the Europa Conference League. He returned to the knockout stages of a European competition for the first time in 14 years.

Based on what has happened in the group so far, the “Cloverleaf” is happy even with a draw to take 3rd place and in the draw next Monday (18/12) at the House of European Football, UEFA headquarters in Nyon to be there again.

However, the approach of all Panathinaikos is very different and the goal is only victory. “We never started with the mindset that we could defend the score or play for a result that suits us. That’s not our style, it’s not my style and the way I communicate with the players. We have to set standards for ourselves. “For teams like Panathinaikos, it’s completely normal to win.” Ivan Yovanovitch spoke clearly about his thoughts on today’s game.

“We are not looking for two results, but for one. We must honor the shamrock we wear. All games are about winning and not about drawing. That’s what we’re going to do now.” Giorgos Vagiannidis emphasized a little earlier and referred to his coach’s praising comment.

Exactly in the “spirit” that all Panathinaikos should have in today’s game (December 14th), against a very tough and in recent years much more experienced opponent in Europe, who came to Athens to… sell his Torium With patience demanding victory and qualification from his side.

A position is “played out” in the lineup.

Jovanovic will not be available for tonight’s game, as well as Hordur Magnusson and Erik Palmer-Brown being permanently absent) and Filip Djuricic, who is suffering from calf swelling and is out.

Regarding the XI, it appears to be largely settled, with the only ‘open’ position being the ‘8’ alongside Willian Arao, claimed by Adam Cerin and Toni Villena, with the Slovenian the favorite. Alberto Brignoli is expected to return under the goalposts having suffered minor discomfort in recent days, but barring any shocking prospects he will be given a starting jersey. The defensive quartet consists of Giorgos Vagiannidis and Juancar (who returns to the eleven) on the wings and Bart Schenkefeld and Tin Gedvai in the stopper positions.

Bernard Duarte will start in the “10” ahead of the duo in the center line, while the in-form Sebastian Palasios and Aitor will take their place on the “wings” and Fotis Ioannidis at the front.

From there, Panathinaikos’ squad for tonight’s (December 14) game against Maccabi Haifa is completed by Lodingin, Xenopoulos, Kotsiras, Huancar, Sideras, Ruben, Mancini, Sporar, Bilal and Prodromitis.

37-year-old Bulgarian Georgi Kabakov was named referee of the match by UEFA. His assistants will be compatriots Martin Margaritov, Diyan Valkov, 4. Radoslav Gizenov and in VAR Dagomir Draganov, Ivailo Stoyanov.