For Panathinaikos this year’s game in Heraklion was a prime opportunity to compete, compare and test their skills. Not because OFI is a superpower, but because Jovanovic’s team was tortured in those games last season.

Last year’s Panathinaikos finished 22 points behind Olympiacos. If we look at the bigger picture of his final year, we can easily see what it has cost him. Something extreme happened last year, he lost 10/13 away games, but in most of them he was not inferior to his opponents.

The biggest problem was the provincial games as he lost all five games he played as a guest in Ioannina, Heraklion, Tripoli, Volos, Agrinio. He suffered defeats everywhere, he didn’t score a single point and only won against Lamia, where the game was played neutral. The draw gave him an early opportunity to compete.

He proved on the pitch that the problem was solved

His image in the playoffs and cup games was convincing. He exclaimed that defensive function had seriously improved and that the team had gained toughness and confidence. Serious additions were made in the summer and logic said that Jovanovic’s side were ready to handle away games in the province, but they had to prove it in practice. The first sample is positive.

Panathinaikos went to Heraklion without his main stopper duo, with just three central midfielders, and had no trouble going with the doubles. Impressing his game from the first minute, he cleaned up early and went on maintenance in the second half, scoring another goal and playing with Sarlia’s defensive duo Pougoura.

It is a given that, based on its image, Panathinaikos will pick up where it left off last year, with the difference that some good additions have been made and it needs to fill the gaps that exist in the axis.

If the championship hasn’t gotten out of the logic of the club in recent years, with the way the teams have entered the championship, it should be seen as the first favourite. However, if the pressure of mastery has not been present in your daily life for many years, it is not possible to suddenly engage in this discussion and carry this burden.

OFI conceded the goal that Nioplias routinely did everything possible to avoid

Nioplias with Panathinaikos had an excellent tradition. He knows it well and always makes sure it is read. So he wanted to knock out Pereth to not give him space and time to get past from below and for that reason he started without a striker with Toral in front of Neira. He wanted them both to fall on the first pass the Spaniard would receive.

He also knew that Panathinaikos marked the space play of Aitor, Palasios and set up a formation with two backs on each side. He lost Neira early and eventually saw his team falling behind with the stage he was trying to avoid. Pass from Perez and movement of the winger. Palacios made amazing control, flawless execution on the move, sending the ball into the far corner and opening that year’s account.

It’s like he made those victories his own

Jovanovic’s players never tired of getting past Heraklion with a brace. Panathinaikos won as if it knew what it was like to pass these places with confidence, as if it had made these victories its own.

Overall, it looked like the team ended the season with the added simplicity of Cerin and a big forward. The addition of these two footballers greatly improved ball circulation, partnerships but also the distances the Panathinaikos players had between them.

Sporar makes a difference

Last year I was tired of writing how unfair the work of Jovanonic is and how much it costs in terms of points, but also in the picture of the games, the lack of a champion. We’re in game two and Sporar unlocked Ionikos’ defense and gave Panathinaikos three points, winning a penalty and securing the double at OFI’s home stadium.

But beyond what can be seen, the Slovenian offers elements that have been missing and that cost quite a bit, especially in away games. He helps his teammates develop and build partnerships in the opponent’s 1/3. He has the ability to pass opponent stoppers and participate in partnerships with short passes, which greatly helps the game of Aitor, Palacio, but also the way the team unfolds its attacks.

He also plays an essential role in unlocking the team when pressed. Especially in away games it is important that you get closed more easily and get more frequent second and third attacks when the striker doesn’t keep up.

As a forward he puts in a lot, running, chasing phases, winning balls and fouling in all parts of the field. In Heraklion he helped many times to prevent Panathinaikos from being caught in low measures and freed him.

Dominated the first half, made it in the replay

In the first half we were absolutely dominant. Jovanovic’s players knew each other’s game very well, had the right distance, good ball control and movement in the open spaces. The second half was done and in the last 20 minutes Ivan Jovanovic also tried the plan with three peripheral strikers behind the centre-forward, which we will see more of when Bernard comes into play.

A mistake was made in the second half when Panathinaikos players, in many cases while having a simple narrow pass, constantly resorted to long transfers and wasted set pieces to chase a third goal. Overall, however, OFI was not listened to and they did not allow the Nioplia team to claim anything from the game.

It starts at the best starting point

Panathinaikos overtook Heraklion with the comfort and style of a team that knows championships. That weight doesn’t have to and shouldn’t be placed on Jovanovic’s team just yet. But if you look at the championship picture, it is certain that this team has nothing and nobody to fear but themselves.

In the first test, she proved that she is ready to win the games she couldn’t handle last year and didn’t get the slightest bit. 22 points separated Panathinaikos from Olympiakos. He landed 15 of them, but this year he took the first three for fun.

Panathinaikos has the great advantage of being the only major team this year to be a continuation of the previous one. There is very good work at the back where additions have been made to develop and that element makes him more ready than anyone else at the start of the season and starting from the best starting position.

On Sunday evening, Pantelis Vlachopoulos, together with Themis Kaisaris, Charlie and Pantelis Diamantopoulos, commented on the national team’s victory against Belgium and the events of the second matchday.