Panathinaikos head coach Jacob Neestrup stated that his team will defeat Hradec Kralove in Czechia if they maintain their performance level across the entire UEFA Conference League playoff second leg on Thursday.
The Greek club held a 2-0 advantage for 88 minutes during the first leg before conceding twice late in the match to draw 2-2. The return fixture against the Czech outfit takes place on August 27 at 20:00, with a spot in the main stage at stake.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Neestrup expressed firm confidence in his squad, emphasizing that the outcome of the tie depends entirely on how his players perform. He noted that the pressure facing the team is identical to their previous qualifying second legs against Hungarian side Paks and Bulgarian opposition in Sofia.
Having navigated five European qualification matches already this summer, Panathinaikos remain one victory away from achieving their primary objective of entering continental competition. Neestrup confirmed that the team had evaluated their mistakes from the initial fixture and were prepared to deliver the required result.
Defensive options and tactical adjustments
Addressing selection difficulties in defense, Neestrup acknowledged that squad options are tight ahead of the decider in Czechia. He stated that while he would prefer to have defenders Davide Calabria and Giannis Tsapras available, both miss out, though he remains prepared for such challenges after taking over to construct a new squad.
Neestrup explained that the players selected to start the return leg possess more than enough quality to win the match. He added that the squad must remain focused and fortunate enough to avoid further physical setbacks during the contest.
Evaluating the opposition, Neestrup revealed that his staff studied Hradec Kralove's home fixtures against Norwegian side Tromso and Turkish club Besiktas, noting that the Czech team begins aggressively on home turf. He also reviewed their domestic matches against top Czech opponents, concluding that Panathinaikos will prevail if they sustain high standards for 90 minutes rather than just 70 minutes.
Neestrup dismissed suggestions that recent defensive lapses stemmed from squad transfers, emphasizing that the club has already brought in strong additions. He highlighted that late opponent chance creation drove up expected goals against them in recent games, urging his team to eliminate passive defensive periods and guard against counter-attacks.
Player reactions and pressure management
Panathinaikos defender Stefan de Vrij also addressed reporters on behalf of the playing squad, confirming widespread disappointment over how the first leg concluded. De Vrij noted that while the strong opening 70 minutes demonstrated clear team progress, thorough post-match analysis was conducted to prevent identical mistakes in the return game.
De Vrij stated that he views the upcoming match as a major opportunity and welcomed the healthy pressure associated with high-stakes European football. He emphasized that the players understand their responsibility to perform well and secure victory in Czechia.
The winner of the aggregate tie will advance directly to the UEFA Conference League proper, completing their summer qualification path.
