The two teams have met on four occasions previously ahead of their next installment in July in what will be head coach Russell Martin’s first competitive match in charge. Here is a lowdown of what to expect when the Gers come up against their Greek opponents.
MOST RECENT SEASON FORM
Panathinaikos certainly do not lack in European pedigree and enter this season’s qualifying for Europe’s top competition by virtue of finishing runners-up in the Greek top-flight last season.
The side finished 16 points adrift of champions Olympiacos, recovering impressively after enduring a turbulent start to the season before overtaking AEK Athens and PAOK after the league split. In the sole Greek Cup competition, they reached the quarter-final stage but lost out to the eventual double winners 2-1 on aggregate.
They competed in last season’s Europa Conference League, finishing 13th in the league phase before overcoming Víkingur Reykjavík of Iceland in the Round of 32 stage and falling to defeat in the Round of 16 at the hands of Fiorentina, who were beaten semi-finalists.
The Greek side have not reached the Champions League proper since 2010-11 and last season started in Europa League qualifying, beating Botev Plovdiv but losing to Ajax before qualifying for the Conference League by defeating Lens.
HISTORY
Founded in 1908 as ‘Podosfairikos Omilos Athinon’ by Georgios Kalafatis, Panathinaikos play their football in Greece’s top-flight known as the Greek Super League, they are one of the most successful clubs in the nation and one of three teams who have never experienced relegation.
Indeed, among their successes include 20 Greek Championships and 20 Greek Cups, achieving the double eight times as well as winning three Greek Super Cups. They are also one of three sides to have gone an entire league season in the nation without tasting defeat, going without a loss in the 1964-65 campaign.
On the European front over the years, they are the only Greek side to have ever reached the Champions League final, doing so in 1971 where they lost out to Ajax 2-0. Since then, they have gone on to reach the semi-finals twice, in 1985 and 1996, as well as reaching the quarter-finals on a further two occasions 10 years apart in 1992 and 2002.
They have reached the quarter-finals of the then called UEFA Cup now Europa League twice, in 1988 and 2003, as well winning the Balkans Cup in 1977, a trophy which was abolished in 1994.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Rangers fans will have memories of the last meeting between the two sides in the famous run to the Manchester 2008 UEFA Cup final.
After a 0-0 draw at Ibrox leaving the tie on a knife edge in the Round of 32 clash, A Nacho Novo goal in the return leg just nine minutes from time cancelled out the Greek side’s opener as the Light Blues progressed in the competition via the away goals rule.
They have met on four occasions in total, prior to that two-legged European clash they met in UEFA’s elite competition during the group stage in the 2003-04 campaign, with Rangers beaten 3-1 at Ibrox by the Greek’s and the two teams cancelling each other out in their first ever meeting in October 2003 with a 1-1 draw in Group E.
MANAGER
Rui Vitória was appointed as Panathinaikos manager last October following the departure of Diego Alonso, leading the side to the UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 where they tasted defeat at the hands of Fiorentina.
The Portuguese manager boasts an impressive CV having spent four years in charge at Benfica and two years recently with the Egyptian national team, managing nine clubs in total.
A former player, he spent the entirety of his 15-year career in his native Portugal, representing six different clubs but never competing higher than the third tier of football in the country before he hung up his boots in 2003 at the age of 32.
KEY PLAYERS
In terms of potential threats, Panathinaikos will look to 25-year-old forward Fotis Ioannidis who continues to attract attention from clubs around the continent.
A fully fledged Greek international, the striker has earned 17 caps for his country scoring six times to date. He featured in Greek’s top-flight on 26 occasions last term, netting six goals whilst providing a sole assist. On the European front he made just two appearances in the Europa Conference league, but did score in the qualifying aggregate win over Lens.
The Athens-based outfit also count talented winger Facundo Pellistri among their ranks, with the Uruguayan having spent time in Manchester United’s youth ranks.
STADIUM
Panathinaikos play their home matches at the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium based in the capital of Greece, Athens.
It was inaugurated in 1922 and is the oldest currently active football stadium in Greece, named after the club’s historic president and athlete Apostolos Nikolaidis.
Holding a capacity of 16,003, the ground has been renovated on three occasions, most recently in 2013, after the Greek side decided to reuse their home having spent time in the Olympic Stadium during the mid-80’s up until 2001.
PLAYERS WHO HAVE WORE BOTH JERSEYS
Gers supporters will be no stranger to defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who is the only player to have pulled on the club colours of both sides.
The Greek centre-back began his youth career with the Light Blues’ Round Two qualifying opponents, coming through the ranks before stepping into the first team in 1998 and spending six years there, making 108 appearances in total.
He endured a loan spell in his native Greece with Agios Nikolaos F.C before making the switch to Glasgow in January 2004. Going on to win both the League title and League Cup the following season.
The defender also earned 61 caps for his country, scoring on four occasions after making his debut in 2002 against Sweden. However, he unfortunately missed out on their historic Euro 2004 triumph due to injury.
Spells in Germany and back in his homeland were to follow, before spending time in the English Premier League with both Liverpool and Sunderland. He called time on his playing career in 2014, after a spell in Australia with Sydney Olympic.
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