Panathinaikos beat CSKA Sofia 2-1 to top Conference League table

Early chances in Athens

Panathinaikos hosted CSKA Sofia at the OAKA in Athens for matchday 3 of the Conference League League Phase, and both sides created openings before the first goal. The match came despite extensive squad rotation by coach Jacob Nistrup. CSKA Sofia's Godoi tested the home defence in the second minute, and his shot was stopped by Kyriakopoulos, while Iordanov's effort in the seventh minute was turned away for a corner. Panathinaikos had their first clear chance in the 12th minute, when Antino cut in from the left and shot into the box, only for CSKA Sofia goalkeeper Lapoukhov to make a double save. Antino repeatedly troubled the CSKA Sofia defence, and Livai Garcia's one-on-one chance in the 27th minute was blocked by Lapoukhov.

Calabria opens, Almeida levels

Davide Calabria opened the scoring in the 41st minute. Livai Garcia played a vertical pass to Vicente Taborda, who used a backheel to set the Italian up for a shot, and Calabria finished to make it 1-0. The lead lasted only three minutes. A Sensi corner from the right reached the far side of the box in the 44th minute, where Dinis Almeida, who was unmarked, struck the ball on the move to level at 1-1 before the break.

Taborda's winner at the 68th minute

Rastoder's goal in the 49th minute was ruled out for offside, and Panathinaikos kept pressing after the restart. In the 68th minute Andreas Tettei turned the ball from the left, and Taborda got into its path, using his body to direct it into the net for a 2-1 lead. Taborda was involved in both Panathinaikos goals, which made him the decisive figure in the win. Shortly before the winner, Embong had missed a one-on-one chance against the opposing goalkeeper, and the home side needed several attempts to break down CSKA Sofia.

Late control, table and next fixtures

Kyriakopoulos forced Lapoukhov into another save in the 74th minute, but CSKA Sofia did not find a second equaliser. Lapoukhov made several saves in one-on-one situations over the match. The win gave Panathinaikos a third straight victory in the competition and nine points from three games, which put them top of the League Phase table. Swedish referee Mohamed Al Hakim let the game flow and used his whistle sparingly, without a serious error. Panathinaikos next play away to Nordsjælland, a Danish side, on Thursday, 26 November, at 22:00, while CSKA Sofia host Trabzonspor from Turkey on the same day.