Valentine’s Day Derby Preview: Panathinaikos

Valentine’s Day Derby Preview: 

Panathinaikos vs Olympiakos

By: Antonios Theodosis

 

With the Derby of the Eternal Enemies quickly approaching this weekend I would like to take the time to quickly give my thoughts on what I would like to see from Panathinaikos in the big game. This is a derby that is sure to be exciting in the lead up to kick off as both teams are in good form in 2021 leaving it to be anyone’s game if the cards are played right.

 

For Panathinaikos to win this match it is crucial that Bart Schenkeveld is fit and ready to start in the backline for the Greens. The Dutchman has been high-flying especially in 2021 helping the team go seven games without conceding a goal and I would argue that he has been Panathinaikos’ MVP since the start of the year. His importance to the defensive stability of this PAO team was made evident this past weekend against Atromitos when he received a knock and had to be subbed out. Almost immediately the team’s defensive structure was visibly shaky, leaving makeshift Right Back Mollo the weakest link on the defensive end and getting exploited by Atromitos’ wingers. Bart does a great job of reading the game and clearing threats early on. He will be pivotal in the Greens attempt to stop Olympiakos’ talisman El-Arabi.

 

The game plan will almost surely be similar to what we have seen from Boloni’s Panathinaikos team the last several weeks, sit back and absorb some of the pressure and look to hit out on the counter. This may be more pronounced in the game against Olympiakos as they are high flying lately, but the key will have to be catching them quickly on a counter and getting the ball into the box as quickly as possible. Olympiakos’ defense is the best in the league and shot stopper Jose Sa has been in incredible form.

 

Panathinaikos’ best bet formation wise for this game will most likely be a 4-3-3, or a rendition of it. As mentioned prior, the game plan should revolve around catching Olympiakos quickly on the counter. As a result, the goals are most likely going to have to come from our wingers. I would like to see the new signing Yeni Ngbakoto start out on the left wing as he showcased his explosive pace against Atromitos last week and will be useful in a counter attacking system. Having Yeni on the left will also provide more balance on the left for Panathinaikos for the first time in a few weeks as Kampetsis has been playing there out of his natural central position. On the right wing Tasos Chatziovanis will most likely get the start and although I have been critical of him in the past, he does provide the pace we would need in a game like this.

 

In a match like this our midfielders will have to be on their best performances looking to cut out passing lanes and quickly feeding the above mentioned wingers to quickly bring the ball into the box. Alexandropoulos and Mauricio will have to ensure that they can neutralize Olympiakos’ threats in the midfield as much as they can, while Fran Velez playing as a defensive midfielder can provide cover for the center backs like we have seen in weeks past. If the team wants to score on this Olympiakos side, then the midfield is going to have to work hard to not only win possession back, but also feed the attacking players expeditiously.

 

Finally, I would just like to add that this is the match that will show PAO fans what the team is made of. Although I have been a critic the last several weeks, I truly believe that the rest of the season lays on this match. If the Greens can pull out a win against this Olympiakos team then I see them finishing on a strong foot, but if they go down I can also see this side start to struggle. This is purely based on the types of performances I have been seeing from the team the last few weeks. We don't win pretty and sometimes not convincingly, the team loses focus at times, but it seems like they need that one trademark win to really solidify it in their heads that they can compete for something. All the best to our boys and coach Boloni, let’s get a win!


Hellas Football 


Follow @antoniostheo on Instagram 

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