line-ups

Panathinaikos FC

Lafont – Palmer-Brown, Touba (82. J. Hernández), S. Ingason – Calabria, Bakasetas (C), R. Sanches, Kyriakopoulos – Taborda (65. Valencia), Tetteh (78. Świderski), Pantović (64. Djuričić). Náhradníci: Kotsaris, Geitonas – Katris, Siopis, Zarúrí, Gnezda Čerin.

FC Viktoria Plzeň

Wiegele – Memić, Dweh, Spáčil, Doski – Višinský (75. Sojka), Hrošovský, Červ (C) (75. Valenta), Souaré (88. Adu) – Panoš (58. Ladra), S. Lawal (58. Vydra).

statistics

Goals: 31. Tetteh (Kyriakopoulos), 61. Tetteh – 11. Višinský (Červ), 80. Ladra (Valenta)

Yellow cards: 69. Valencia (PAN), 69. S. Ingason (PAN), 90+4. Palmer-Brown (PAN) – 14. Doski (PLZ), 36. Panoš (PLZ)

Referees: Walsh – Connor, McFarlane (všichni SCO)

Shots on goal: 5:7

Shots off target: 2:6

Corners: 4:0

Offside: 1:0

Fouls: 7:17

Attendance: 20227

Viktoria take a draw from the first leg of the Europa League play-off against Panathinaikos. In an attractive match at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, four goals were scored, so the team advancing will be decided in the return leg next week in Plzeň.

The home side had the opening kick-off. In the 3rd minute, Dweh took a slight risk when he was dribbled past by an attacker, but the situation did not lead to any further danger. In the 6th minute, after a well-worked move down the flank, Hrošovský got to a shot, but his effort narrowly missed the target. A minute later, following a brilliant individual action by Panoš, Červ finished from a difficult angle, yet he failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Salim Fago Lawal then tried his luck from the right-hand side. The home goalkeeper parried his shot into the centre of the pitch, where Lukáš Červ controlled the ball. The Plzeň captain laid it off to Denis Višinský, who fired from distance and smashed the ball through everything in his way. In the 25th minute, another mistake in Panathinaikos’ build-up allowed Salim Fago Lawal to get on the ball. He may have hesitated at first, thinking he was offside, and his subsequent angled strike flew over the bar. In the 31st minute, the home side responded – after a cross from the left, they managed to equalise. Seven minutes later, Panathinaikos increased the pressure, but Plzeň withstood the spell well. Florian Wiegele also did an excellent job, rushing out in time to reach the ball first. In the 44th minute, Jiří Panoš brilliantly created space for himself on the left side of the penalty area. Many fans were already raising their arms in celebration, but the young player only hit the side netting. Nothing more happened before half-time, and the teams went into the dressing rooms level.

The second half brought a number of inaccuracies. Doski’s run was stopped and the referee subsequently awarded a foul. In the 51st minute, the hosts threatened again, but Wiegele produced a superb save on the goal line. A longer spell followed in which Panathinaikos pressed hard, yet Viktoria’s defence held firm. In the 55th minute, a beautiful pass behind the defence found Memić. He got his shot away, the goalkeeper saved it, and also denied Souaré on the rebound. In the 61st minute, Tetteh beat Spáčil and finished at the far post, leaving Wiegele with no chance. Six minutes later, Višinský won the ball near the touchline and passed to Spáčil, whose long-range effort missed the target. In the 80th minute, Plzeň struck again and the Olympic Stadium in Athens fell silent. On the edge of the box, Matěj Valenta laid the ball off to Tomáš Ladra, who curled a fine shot towards goal. Although Alban Lafont got a touch on it, he could not prevent the goal. Both teams created chances in the closing stages, but no further goals were scored. The return leg in Plzeň next week will therefore decide who advances. Tickets for the return match are available HERE.

Photogallery