Key Takeaways:
- Viktoria Plzen secured a 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff last night in Athens
- Andrews Tetteh scored twice for Panathinaikos
- The sides will meet again in Plzen next week with a place in the last 16 on the line
Match Analysis
Viktoria Plzen extended their impressive away form, registering a 2-2 draw in a hard-fought UEFA Europa League playoff first-leg encounter with Panathinaikos. The Czech club, who have lost only once in their last 12 matches on the road (W7, D4), demonstrated organisation and confidence from the beginning, reflecting their unbeaten run through the competition’s league phase (W3, D5).
The visitors were quick to make an impact in Athens, capitalising on early pressure. In the 11th minute, Lukas Cerv played a smart lay-off on the edge of the area, setting up Denis Visinsky to fire decisively into the bottom corner for his first goal of Plzen’s UEL campaign.
Heading into the second leg with a clear target.#Panathinaikos #PAOFC #UEL #PAOPLZ pic.twitter.com/L56MOBdNbw
— Panathinaikos F.C. (@paofc_) February 19, 2026
Key Events and Player Impact
Martin Hysky’s side, buoyed by their opener, nearly doubled their advantage when Salim Lawal found space in the box, only to wastefully curl his attempt over the crossbar. This miss came back to haunt Plzen when, on 30 minutes, Andrews Tetteh directed a glancing header into the far corner, connecting perfectly with Giorgos Kyriakopoulos’ delivery to restore parity for the hosts.
Before the break, Plzen pressed to regain the lead as Jiri Panos struck a low attempt into the side netting. The contest stayed open after half-time, with Tetteh forcing a sharp reflex save from Plzen goalkeeper Florian Wiegele and, in turn, Alban Lafont reacting smartly to deny Amar Memic’s angled shot for the Greek outfit.
Panathinaikos eventually capitalised on their attacking phases in the 61st minute. Tetteh showed excellent footwork to elude Karel Spacil in the area before sending an unstoppable effort into the far corner, bringing up his second goal of the night.
Equaliser and Remaining Chances
Plzen refused to yield, finding an equaliser in fortuitous circumstances with a quarter-hour left. Tomas Ladra unleashed a speculative shot from distance which Panathinaikos keeper Alban Lafont could only divert into his own net, levelling the tie at 2-2.
The closing stages saw Rafael Benítez’ Panathinaikos push for a late winner, highlighted by Anastasios Bakasetas dragging a shot wide from 12 yards. Despite sustained pressure, neither side was able to claim victory, leaving the contest evenly poised ahead of the decisive second leg in Plzen next week.
Match Statistics
| Fixture | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Panathinaikos v Viktoria Plzen | 2-2 | Athens |
