Panathinaikos is on the verge of a Europa League exit after losing their opening game with Ajax, putting all the pressure on them to cause an upset in the reverse fixture in Amsterdam.
The “Trifylli” fell 0-1 to the Dutch giants at the Olympic Stadium on Friday morning (AEST), giving them a major obstacle to overcome in next week’s second leg of their third qualifying round tie.
Ajax found what proved to be the match’s only goal in the 28th minute with a lovely team movement that was polished off by winger Steven Berghuis’ strike into the bottom right.
The Greens grew into the game and managed to have the ascendency for periods of the clash as they searched for an equaliser, though they proved unable to penetrate Ajax’s defence.
The assignment now calls on Panathinaikos to manufacture a major win in Amsterdam to keep their Europa League aspirations alive.
Omonia secured a pivotal 1-0 home victory against Mol Fehervar in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie, with striker Mariusz Stepinski’s winner (60′) putting them in good stead to advance to the play-offs.
Pafos, on the other hand, finds itself in trouble of bowing out of Europe after losing 2-1 away to FC CSKA 1948 in their first leg.
The Cypriot side started well as they took the lead in the tenth minute via winger Muamer Tankovic, though it would be cancelled out soon after by striker Mario Ilievski (29′).
The hosts then went ahead themselves in the 51st minute, thanks to a penalty goal from attacking midfielder Thalis Cantanhede, with that proving the difference between the two sides.
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