LIVE – Panathinaikos-Lens: Blood and Gold dominate and catch a glimpse of the Conference League

On the right in the area, Sotoca shifts Frankowski who crosses at mid-height without controlling. Thomasson, launched, takes it with his right. It is deflected almost at point-blank range by Dragowski. The Pana gets away with it very well.

Gross obstruction by Jonathan Gradit on Facundo Pellistri. The Lens defender is cautioned.

Wesley Said provokes in the area on the left, begins to overflow and unleashes a shot that is too weak from the left, pushed back by Dragowski.

Lens kick off the second half in Athens.

The Artésiens dominate the debates in Athens. They lack success, like the penalty missed by Florian Sotoca. They maintain a one-goal advantage over the two matches, but are therefore not safe from a surge from Panathinaikos.

Lens left corner kicked by Frankowski. Pana clears in two stages.

The Artésiens pitch their tent in the last 20 meters. A cross from Pereira da Costa is pushed back. Pana is cornered.

Arão extends towards Tetê in the Lens surface on the left. It’s a bit strong. The Brazilian straightens the ball with a cross for no one. Lens recovers.

Right corner for the Blood and Gold. Frankowski’s cross is headed away by Arão.

Launched into the Greek surface on the left, Said unleashes a powerful left-hand strike from a tight angle. Dragowski saves and turns it into a corner.

Hard fouls are multiplying in the middle of the field, especially committed by Pana. Mr. Martinez Munuera must police.

High recovery from Pana. From his right side, Tetê cuts back into the axis and shoots with his left from 18 meters. It’s clearly wide.

Frankowski passes into the Greek box. Sotoca doesn’t press hard enough on a half-volley with his right foot that is easily stopped by Dragowski.

At the start of a Lens counter-attack, Saïd was forced to retreat in the face of Ingason who ended up committing a foul.

Ball possession is 54% in favor of RC Lens.

Tetê is late and wipes his boots on Deiver Machado. The Brazilian winger from Panthinaikos is cautioned.

Florian Sotoca rushes forward and crosses a low right-hand shot. Bartlomiei Dragowski has chosen the right side and deflects the Lensois’ attempt.

David Pereira da Costa, who was pushed into the box, hooked in front of Filip Mladenovic and collapsed. Mr Martinez Munuera saw the contact and pointed to the penalty spot.

After a complicated start to the match, the Artésiens got their foot on the ball and moved it around well.

Late and very committed sliding tackle by Przemyslaw Frankowski on Filip Mladenovic. The Lens right-back is cautioned.

Left corner for Lens taken by Pereira da Costa. At the 2nd post, Saïd dominates his opposite number and cuts the trajectory with his head. The ball passes less than a meter from the post.

Lens want to restart properly but cannot thwart the pressure of Pana. Goalkeeper Brice Samba is forced to clear into touch.

The more than 60,000 Greek fans make noise in the Olympic stadium. The start is shared between the two teams.

The kick-off is given by Panathinaikos who will attack from the right to the left. Let’s get to the game.

Warm atmosphere in Athens. Clear sky, temperature around 26 degrees. Time for the Champions League anthem before the match.

Will Still maintains his 3-4-1-2 with David Pereira da Costa as playmaker behind Wesley Said and Florian Sotoca. Frankowski is preferred to Aguilar on the right. Medina suspended, Sarr and Khusanov start in defense with Gradit. Fulgini is a substitute.

The Lensois eleven: Samba – Sarr, Khusanov, Gradit – Machado, Diouf, Thomasson, Frankowski – Pereira da Costa – Saïd, Sotoca

4^e In the Greek championship last season, Panathinaikos did not get out of the group stage in the Europa League. They lost 2 of their 3 home matches, including the one against Rennes (1-2).

RC Lens won the first leg at Bollaert-Delelis last week (2-1) after playing 70 minutes with a man down.

After fifteen years without playing in Europe and a stint in Ligue 2, RC Lens got a taste of the Champions League last season. The Blood and Gold want to return to the continental scene, even if it is “only” the Conference League (C4).

Welcome to Le Figaro to follow this Conference League play-off return leg between Panathinaikos and RC Lens. Kick-off scheduled for 8pm at the Athens Olympic Stadium.