Panathinaikos Triumph In Conference League Thriller

Panathinaikos staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-0 victory over Lens, overturning the 2-1 deficit from the first leg at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Panathinaikos came out strong from the outset, pressing Lens from the first whistle. However, the French side first threatened, with a header from Said in the 9th minute narrowly missing Dragowski’s left post after a corner kick.

In the 15th minute, Lens were awarded a penalty when Mladenovic fouled Da Costa in the area. But Panathinaikos goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski produced a stunning save, diving low to his right to deny Sotoca. The Polish shot-stopper was in top form throughout the match, making another crucial save in the 34th minute to keep out a shot from Said, ensuring the score remained 0-0 at half-time.

Lens continued to push after the break, with Said again testing Dragowski in the 51st minute, but the keeper stood firm, saving with his feet. He was called into action again in the 57th minute, thwarting Thomasson’s effort from inside the box.

Sensing the need for a change, Panathinaikos manager Ivan Jovanović made a triple substitution in the 61st minute, bringing on Mancini, Maksimovic, and Vagiannidis. The impact was immediate. Panathinaikos launched a swift counter-attack a minute later, with Facundo Pellistri making an incredible run down the field. The Uruguayan’s cross found Fotis Ioannidis, and after a deflection, the ball returned to Pellistri, who finished expertly into the right corner to level the tie on aggregate (2-2).

Panathinaikos nearly took the lead outright in the 68th minute when Tete unleashed a powerful shot from distance, narrowly missing the left post. Lens attempted to ramp up the pressure as the minutes ticked away, but Panathinaikos remained composed and disciplined in defence.

Then, in the 85th minute, the home side struck again with another textbook counter-attack. Ioannidis broke from deep within Panathinaikos’ half, picking out Mancini with a precise pass. After a surging run from midfield, the Argentinian laid the ball off to Tete, who coolly slotted it into the net to make it 2-0.

With the crowd at OAKA erupting in celebration, it was clear that Panathinaikos were not going to let this qualification slip away. Although Ioannidis missed a chance to make it 3-0 in the 89th minute after a fine pass from Djuricic, the team’s determination was unshaken.

In stoppage time, Dragowski again came to the rescue, saving a fierce shot from Diouf. Moments later, Maksimović made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Lascari, preserving the clean sheet and securing Panathinaikos’ place in the Europa Conference League group stage.