Panathinaikos will adopt a cautious approach in their European fixture against Czech club Hradec Kralove in Czechia on Thursday, according to club reporter Giannis Seretis.
Speaking on the protothema.gr broadcast The Football Show by Stoiximan, Seretis explained that manager Jakob Neestrup plans to prioritize defensive organization and ball control in the away tie, drawing parallels to the strategy used in their recent match in Bulgaria.
Seretis said Neestrup recognizes that defensive performance cannot be fixed from one game to the next. He added that the Greek side will aim to play conservatively and wait for specific opportunities during open play.
Attacking options and late energy concerns
Addressing player availability and form, Seretis noted that forwards Teteh and Levi Garcia are currently in good physical condition, while Cyriel Dessers has shown steady improvement.
However, Seretis expressed concern regarding Panathinaikos's stamina and performance levels once the match passes the 60-minute mark, pointing to a lack of depth and quality options on the substitutes' bench.
He warned that if Hradec Kralove build upon their strong final 30 minutes from the previous leg at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, known as OAKA, the Czech side will gain confidence and play with greater aggression.
At the same time, Seretis observed that a more expansive style from Hradec Kralove could work in Panathinaikos's favor by creating open spaces for counter-attacking chances.
High stakes for Jakob Neestrup
Seretis emphasized that the outcome carries major consequences for Panathinaikos's overall season and for Neestrup personally, noting that an early European exit would put heavy scrutiny on the manager.
He stated that Neestrup would bear a significant portion of the blame in the event of an elimination, largely due to how the closing stages unfolded in the initial match at OAKA.
Conversely, securing qualification would provide crucial breathing room for both the head coach and the entire squad as they build momentum for the campaign ahead.
Seretis concluded by highlighting the administrative and competitive difficulties of failing to reach European competition, warning that managing a squad with only one fixture per week would present a major challenge for the club.
