Panathinaikos: All you need to know about TNS’ next Conference League opponents 

The New Saints will be hoping to pull off one of the biggest shocks in UEFA Conference League history when they face Greek giants Panathinaikos this evening. Although the side from Athens are a huge name in European football, many football followers may not be aware of just how big of a club they are.  

Here is everything you need to know about the Trifýlli, who currently play at a stadium almost four and a half times the size of Oswestry. 

History 

Novels could be written about Panathinaikos’ history, with how long and storied it has been. Here is the rundown of the key moments through the years for them. 

They were founded in 1908 and, since then, have been one of the biggest clubs in Greece, winning 20 top division titles as well as 20 Greek Cups, the most recent success being last season when they won the cup. 

They won the league unbeaten in 1963-64, and are one of only three teams in the country to have never been relegated from the top division. 

With the recent hegemony of their ‘Eternal Enemy’ Olympiacos in Greek football, they have struggled somewhat domestically, having last won the league title in 2010, but have remained in the top four consistently and got closest to breaking their duck a couple of years ago when they won the regular season but fell in the playoffs (which are structured similarly to the Cymru Premier). 

Manager 

Appointed at the end of October this year, manager Rui Vitoria is still new in the hotseat. The Portuguese boss has had a very successful career, having won two Portuguese league titles with Benfica, as well as managing Russian giants Spartak Moscow and the Egyptian national team. 

His 22-year spell in management has seen him oversee some of the best players in the world, with players such as Mohamed Salah, Ruben Dias, Ederson, Joao Felix and so many more having plied their trade under Vitoria at some point in their career. 

He has started his time at Panathinaikos well, with his only defeat in all competitions having come in his second game to Djurgardens IF, who beat TNS last time out in the Conference League. 

Players to watch 

With a squad valued at over €100 million, Panathinaikos have a wealth of talent at their disposal. One player to watch who may be familiar to some is Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri.

Signed from Manchester United in the summer, he has so far struggled to make an impact in Greece, but has the quality to turn a game on its head should he be at his best. 

Greek forward Fotis Ioannidis is currently their highest valued player at €18 million, and as captain of the club will be hoping to show more of the form which has seen him win back-to-back Greek Footballer of the Year awards in the past couple of seasons. 

Current Season 

Currently in fourth place in the league, but only four points behind top side Olympiacos, Trifýlli will be aiming to mount a title challenge. With recent form being on their side since the arrival of their new manager, there is every chance they could do it. 

In the Conference League, things have been less successful, with only four points from as many games. The points have come courtesy of a 1-1 draw away at Borac Banja Luka from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a 1-0 home win against lowly HJK from Finland, suggesting that they have got a poor result in them and may struggle to break down a ‘lesser’ side. 

European pedigree 

They made history as the first and only Greek side to date to reach the European Cup (or Champions League) final in 1971, falling at the final hurdle at Wembley to an Ajax side which included Johan Cruyff. 

Their manager for this European Cup final was iconic former attacker Ferenc Puskás, which shows the pedigree of both players and staff they have had over the years. 

Between 1996 and 2003, they also reached a Champions League semi-final and quarter-final, as well as competing in the last eight of the UEFA Europa League.