In a seasons decisive game, Panathinaikos played against the Portuguese side SC Braga in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Play-Off this week. The match was disputed in the Athens Olympic Stadium, which, as usual, had quite a favourable impact on the home team, which needed a victory to pursue their objective. Having been absent for over a decade, both teams were competing for a spot in the Champions League group stage, hoping to face top sides like Manchester City, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
Braga were ahead in this play-off after achieving a 2-1 victory at home, and Artur Jorge prepared this game, foreseeing the difficulties caused by the other side and the environment, which enhanced Panathinaikos performance significantly.
On the other hand, we have a team that did it all to hurt Braga. However, as we will see further, there was some inefficiency in front of the goal, which the teams level can explain.
So, in this tactical analysis, well discuss both teams respective ways of playing, the main reasons for Panathinaikos unfavourable result, and Bragas accomplishment.
Lineup
The home team saved some players in their previous game and made five alterations for this decisive game against Braga.
XXI: Brignoli; Vagiannidis; Jedvaj; Magnússon; Juankar; Vilhena; Pérez; Palacios; Bernard; Mancini; Ioannidis
Braga made only two alterations to rep
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