More than half the truth in the analysis of the reasons that brought Panathinaikos’ shocking exit from Maccabi and the knockout place in the Europa Conference League playoffs was contained in Ivan Jovanovic’s first statement at the press conference shortly after March 2 :1 hidden by the Israelis.

“It may be unfair to the players because we have put in a lot of effort to be competitive in this period since the Champions League qualifiers, but in the end it is the results that shape the picture. And we in the last four games have conceded enough goals to hope for something better…” Lots of goals, not just “enough”. Very and “cheap,” one might add, copying and pasting most of them.

Both because of the “wound” of defensive change that continues to haunt the Greens since the beginning of this season, when they changed their competitive focus to a much more aggressive and attractive model (at the expense of larger gaps and distances in the lines). , when the opponent broke the pressing of the “Clover” players and beat him on the counterattack), as well as the many individual mistakes.

In Greece, where most teams play at a lower level and the level of competition is lower in 80% of games, Panathinaikos’ evolution of the attacking model has been extremely effective.

And he simplified the game on the field, which the Greens have struggled to win in recent years.

Identical goals from the transition

However, in the more demanding games, Panathinaikos had similar problems. And he conceded identical goals in the transition from AEK (Pinedas 1:2), from PAOK (both in the 2:2 from Leoforos) and even in Aris’ second goal at “Vikelidis”.

An exception to this whole question of the most competitive games was the 50 minutes played in the derby with Olympiakos on October 22nd in Faliro, where Panathinaikos dominated for a half, wasting too many chances that they did not convert even in the 50% and conceded the equalizer in the 50th minute.

This time not because of a bad defensive change, but because of individual mistakes. Stunning pass from Arao outside the box, poor judgment and failed dribbling from Cerin, steal from Kamara, one-two with Pontense and the Guinean midfielder’s play in the corner.

The second major defensive “wound”

These – big and permanent – individual errors are the second major defensive “wound” of this year’s Panathinaikos, which produces, executes and scores more – especially in the league, because it did not have the same efficiency in Europe and at the highest level – but in The defense is much more vulnerable this year – due to the type of game, but also due to a lack of concentration.

And it not only enables the opponent to create clearer phases and better chances, but – subject to mistakes – it often gives them more goals than they deserve.

In most group games, Panathinaikos’ opponents (especially in the two Avenue games against Rennes and Maccabi) scored more goals than they had good chances.

With Ren in “Apostolos Nikolaidis,” the entire defensive line was asleep. Already in the 7th minute, Mladenovic allowed the opposing winger Le Fe to take the cross unhindered and Guiry moved to the back of the defense to make it 0-1. With the score at 0:2 (49th), the defense allowed Kalimuendo to catch an aerial shot in the penalty area after a phase.

In France, Brignoli lost the ball due to Reeder’s seemingly slight foul in the 9th minute and conceded 1-0. Then the whole of Panathinaikos fell into the Rennes trap, they climbed too high and unbalanced after Belosian was sent off in the 33rd minute and the French team punished him twice in five minutes in exchange, ending the game.

For Villarreal, Mladenovic beat Accomach from the turn to make it 1-0, while Vagiannidis beat a low cross from Albert Moreno to Komesania to make it 2-0. With the score at 3-0, Arao “sold” the ball cheaply outside the penalty area to Baena in the 47th minute and Morales increased the score to 3-0.

On Thursday evening (December 14th), Maccabi Haifa’s 0-1 was copied with Rennes’ 0-1 on the Avenue, even if the cross came from the other side, as Palacios did not effectively block the Kornud and Lodingin completely lost his composure, “Crash” with Senkefeld before David scored one of the easiest goals of his career.

And with the score at 0-2, Mancini receives – yes – a kick from Kornoud, Kabakov doesn’t see it and the Argentine sits there and complains instead of immediately supporting Vagiannidis.

“Vaya” slides in… and brakes so as not to “eat” the Maccabi full-back’s illusion and give him more space. Cerin leaves the player at the height of the penalty to cover the space and the experienced Seri does not forgive.

He was constantly looking for the result

In all these games, Panathinaikos paid dearly for their mistakes and were constantly chasing the result. With one or even two goals.

Mostly from the start, constantly putting himself in a difficult situation and losing control and the ability to dictate his own pace. And that’s because he wasn’t mentally ready for the “fight.” It didn’t happen once or twice, but constantly…

It’s not just about the mind and preparing for the game, but also about understanding the special conditions that prevail in such games.

In this part, all Panathinaikos (so far) receive a very poor grade in almost all competitive matches they have played in Europe and in Greece and it is a problem that needs to be solved internally.

With additional work at Koropi (along with the remaining midfield issues and the overall part, the suspension), but also with a whole series of discussions in view of the next round of big games that follow in January in the League and Cup, with horizon (and) the playoffs.

He showed him his weaknesses and the way

Europe has highlighted Panathinaikos’ weaknesses and shown him that he still has a long way to go before (again) reaching the level required for qualifications and marches.

He’s improving his blocking and handling and finding more balance connecting his lines based on the football he wants to play now.

With the takeover of a much faster and leading stopper in January and with much clearer decisions about who can – at this stage – support (and inhibit) the development of the specific racing model.

Bitterness, disappointment and the search for blame for the failure – based on the expectations that Panathinaikos itself raised in the summer qualifiers and in the first group game against Villarreal – are currently weighing on everything surrounding the organization.

The fate of the big teams is (also) this. But when the thoughts clear and the dust settles after the failed group win, Panathinaikos must see its mistakes and weaknesses with a much clearer eye and present itself fully prepared for the next battles that come with the dawn of 2024.

And this part of the life of the big teams is…