Panathinaikos means fighting spirit

After 7 rounds into the new Super League season, it is safe to say Giorgos Donis' 'babies' are the names on everyone's lips courtesy of a fantastic start that has featured swashbuckling attacking displays, an organised and committed defence, and many youngsters obtain their first opportunity at senior level. This has yielded an eye-catching 6 wins and 1 draw.

However, the young Greens are yet to face any rival team or title challenger. All this time, many have been saying "tougher tests await". It starts in Matchday 8 in what will arguably be the most difficult game of the season at Toumba against PAOK. The Trifylli then meet rivals AEK and Olympiakos straight after. This is the true test the team has been waiting for.

As the old cliché goes - "you can only beat what is in front of you" and the team has done just that. Hopefully it now gets taken to a new level in these next three games. If Panathinaikos can take points off the aforementioned trio, they will all of a sudden become title contenders rather than battling for a European spot. It is hard not to love this current crop of players and pf course Donis and the best thing about this side is they will certainly give it a red hot go. Giannis Bouzoukis, Tasos Chatzigiovannis, Argiris Kampetsis, Ilias Chatzitheodoridis and co, will not fear PAOK, AEK or Olympiakos.

Donis must allow the players to play with the freedom we have seen from the beginning of the season. Fans will want to see the team got to Toumba and put up a stirring attacking performance. The great news is that the message from Donis will be to attack PAOK from the off and put them under immense pressure. Donis has the players at his disposal to shocking the Greek football world. Aris showed PAOK is far from the finished product and there are weaknesses to exploit. In addition to this, they will be the ones with all the pressure, being title favourites.

Pressing high up the pitch to win the ball in good positions should be paramount in Donis' plans. The players have the engines to play this high-tempo game. Widemen such as Chatzigiovannis will also need to back themselves if they see any chance and run directly at the PAOK back line in a bid to put them under pressure. Federico Macheda will have a pivotal role to play, he must continue his great start in new colours and bring others into the game or take his chances as he done away against Panetolikos in the Cup and PAS Giannina at home.

Last start, Donis went for the brave approach by opting to start with two strikers in Macheda and Kampetsis. It will be interesting to see if he does this again. he may be better served at bringing Kampetsis on as fresh legs off the bench to take on a tiring defence. Captain and talisman Dimitris Kourbelis will be key in the middle of the park, protecting the back four and giving the attackers the licence to do their job in the final third. As it can be observed, it will require a team effort but not beyond the realms of possibility. Another great feature of the 2018-19 squad is that there is no over-reliance on any single player.

Donis has been the mastermind behind the great start and his tactical flexibility has been pleasing to see. During preseason, he toyed with the idea of a back three with wing backs but has resorted to a more traditional back four. There is not only one 'Plan A', there are contingencies in place and every player knows their role. He has shown he is willing to switch things up if need be to get results - especially in the win over PAS Giannina where three centre backs saw the game out. He is also a bold coach and this approach has undoubtedly rubbed off on the players. On many occasions already this season, his substitutions have directly led to the team getting points. Chatzitheodoridis was a substitute in the win over Panionios and scored the only goal of the game, minutes after his introduction. Macheda has also done this.

This squad also embodies the notion of the "fighting spirit" Panathinaikos is known for and what the club stands for. This passion for the shirt will hold the team in good stead. It was on show in the away draw at Asteras Tripolis, where the team refused to lose and fought until the very end to rescue a point. No surprise under a Greek coach (who was also a star player for the club), a Greek core and a predominantly Greek team. These youngsters inherently know what Panathinaikos means, compared to the PAOK side that will most likely start with just 2 Greeks in their starting 11.

By Nick Tsambouniaris for Hellas Football