Panathinaikos: Will he keep up with the expectations?

Big question was and remains this year for Panathinaikos if he can go on in the post-Cisse season and
Many thought that the team would be difficult to adapt to a different way of playing but the coach of the team ,Jesoualdo Ferreira, believes that "green" will be much better than previous years.

August Cuff ...

The positive performances in friendly preparation and novel the summer preparations showed that the necessary additions to the "clover" will claim to equal the qualification to the Champions League qualifiers. Opponent, the Danish Odense and the draw made the smiles of the fans more intense after a promising 1-1 away, at the end of July, thanks to a goal by Leto.
But those who chose to go to the Olympic Stadium from a beach to get to see their favorite team, did not believe what they were seeing, watching the Danes achieving four goals (3-4) and  conquer the qualification although found to lose by 2 - 1.


In Tel Aviv the bitterness was huge


Sixteen days later,the "Clover" had a chance in the Europa League, but again the picture was just disappointing.The ''greens'' lost 3-0 from  Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ferreira's players were collapsing in the second half (and while the result was 0-0).



The hope of the Olympic Stadium, went out with the first victory of the best Greek ambassador in Europe, Panathinaikos to a 2-1 win but not enough and Panathinaikos said goodbye too early this year.


Great premiere in Kerkura, gained a lot in Peristeri



Now, everyone were invited to regroup within three days and begin the race for this year's title battle, with most of the fans touting that Olympiacos is the first and favorite to win the championship this year.



The "green" in the premiere ,in the traditionally difficult headquarters of Kerkura ,passed with victory thanks to goals from Leto and Ninis. And  September  left with a home win with PAS Giannina and a draw with Peristeriwith a goal from Leto, and while players were showing great mental, Ferreira stocks struggled from the 3 ', with ten players (due to elimination of Karnezis).

There the Portuguesecoach saved a valuable point but he earned something very important for the outcome of the association. Stefanos Kapino after Kotsolis was injured and Karnezis was eliminated took teir spot under the ''green'' goalposts.



Wins that can give him the title in Xanthi and Touba.



With the talented 17 year old goalkeeper looking good beneath the goalposts and Sebastian Leto having a free role and score at will, Panathinaikos went through two great teams and its very likely that he will be the champion this year. The Well of Xanthi and the "hot" Touba, winning with 3-2 Xanthi and 3-1 Paok.

Intermediate the "green" had achieved another great victory against Ergotelis, defeating them in the Olympic Stadium to 4-0 in front of the audience, and everyone thinks that Panathinaikos has changed him image for good.



Moreover, the very Zesoualdo Ferreira after the exclusion in Europe had taken the responsibility and pointed out that besides the fact that the players had "keys" to match them (after the eleventh hour and transcribed by Quincy and Toche) the team had worked as he would like. And so the evidence ... came later.



Defeated AEK and went undefeated in Karaiskaki.

 

The November came in the best conditions for "clover" because after the match with the "two-headed North", was invited home to meet AEK. Win by 3-2 and  everyone had theirs minds in Karaiskaki.
Everybody waited to see Panathinaikos with a week gap (due to the Greek national team)to have lost  its positive aura in the game with the "eternal" rival. However, the "green" came to courage in Faliro stage and preceded by Zeka and Kapino "to download the rolls" (as the Greek say :meaning not letting the rival to score) by maintaining undefeated  getting a draw against Olympiacos in Piraeus.
The month ended with another victory over OFI but the "green"showed signs of fatigue and detuning in the game.



Betrayed in "K. Vikelides" recovered in ''N.Smirni''.


December  didn't come very good forPanathinaikos who went to "Cleanthes Vikelides" without the mental strength he needed and was defeated 3-1, although initially tied at 1-1. The defensive gaps appeared and the were crucial for the team.


Now everyone should show another picture in another difficult office, New Smyrni and without the ill Ferreira. And thanks to Leto and Katsouranis the "green" left the "Square" with a more valuable win in the league.



Last match for the championship with Asteras in Tripoli with the Portuguese coach of the "green" to be in a booth to guard, and the players to conquer yet another victory 3-1.



The year 2011 ended with the first positive test of several theoretical alternate who got a ticket for "16" of the Greek Cup, defeating the "poor" 1-0 in his field Evosmos the Agrotikos Asteras.