Good, but not good enough

AGONAsport’s Panathinaikos contributor, Nick Tsambouniaris, assesses the club’s season to date as the Greens have built a strong defensive platform but have been let down by a lack of goals and cutting edge upfront.

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Even though we have just passed the halfway point of the season in terms of games played, now is a good time to assess how the season has panned out to date for Panathinaikos - given the Championship will go on hold until the new calendar year.

Naturally, when analysing the Trifylli’s season so far, one has to take into account the off-field factors that are outside the control of Giorgos Donis and the playing squad. The budget is small, and the financial situation is still masked with uncertainty; however, this is Panathinaikos, and the club should be challenging in the upper echelons.

The season started in the worst way possible, but to Donis’ credit, he has turned it around as the team moved up the ladder and currently sit in equal fourth spot (only an inferior head-to-head record keeps the team seventh).

WHATS HAS WORKED WELL

Ability to turn up for the big occasions

While the Greens will not challenge for title honours, they have proved to be a thorn in the hopes of their three rivals. Panathinaikos have taken an impressive five points in the three derbies so far against Olympiacos, PAOK, and AEK.

Not only are the results strong, but the performances in these matches have also been encouraging. Against the Reds, the fighting spirit displayed against all the odds was incredible. The team restricted their more illustrious rivals and turned the match into a ‘fight’ and played the game on their terms. 

Likewise, against PAOK at Toumba (the toughest away trip in the competition right now), the team fought for every ball and capitalised on errors to score. 

Then against the Enosis, the passion and hunger to win was taken to a new level. The team could have buckled after trailing 0-2 at half-time, but instead showed a hard edge and resolve not seen in a while to win 3-2.

The tactics in all three matches were spot on as the team’s approach and formation altered based on the opponent in an attempt to nullify weaknesses. For instance, AEK struggled to cope with the pace and creativity from wide areas, and two of the goals in the thrilling comeback came from crosses.

However, the team’s mentality was vital in these strong performances. It feels as if the team recognises its deficiencies and works even harder to torment their rivals. This fight has been lacking in other matches.

Defensive Solidity

The team conceded a whopping eight goals in their opening three games against Lamia, OFI, and Aris. Since then, a mere ten goals have been shipped in the ensuing 13 matches. That averages out to less than a goal per game - something that teams at the top of the ladder can be proud of.

Donis realised that the team needed to become harder to break down. Defending well and in an organised manner is the basic ingredient, and it puts less strain on the attacking line to score.

The confidence was as good as shot after those opening three matches, but the team turned a corner in that 1-1 Eternal Derby against Olympiacos on the fourth matchday. Cutting out individual errors, communicating, and defending as a unit has been key.

On top of this, the summer signings were recruited relatively late and had very little time to gel in the preseason. However, Donis has settled on his preferred backline, and Bart Schenkeveld has been a solid addition to the team as he can play with the ball at his feet, is strong in the air due to his height, and is positionally sound. Achilleas Poungouras is in career-best form and has been tracked by John van ’t Schip for the Greek national team. Joao Nunes, Dimitris Kolovetsios, and Fanis Mavromatis can all slot in with minimal fuss. The full-back spots are also settled.

WHAT NEEDS IMPROVING

Inconsistency

As previously mentioned, the team has lifted their performances for the big occasions. However, too many points have been dropped against lesser sides, especially those battling for the final three spots in the “top-six.”

Across five games against teams level with them on the ladder (Larissa, OFI, Aris), the Greens have only picked up two points. This poor head-to-head record means the team currently sit in seventh. It will be disappointing come season’s end if this is what kept the Prasini out of the top-six.

Furthermore, Panathinaikos have also dropped points to the likes of Xanthi, Panetolikos, Lamia, and Volos.

These poor performances can come down to several reasons, but it appears the team underestimates its opponents and almost ‘plays into their hands’ at times. In the big games, the Greens have tended to sit deep, but open up more in a bid to score goals. These sides lower on the ladder take full advantage by exploiting the gaps in behind and easily soak up the pressure when defending. Breaking down these sides consistently has been an issue for some time.

Serious lack of goals and cutting edge in the final third

A dreadfully poor 16 goals have been scored in 16 games so far. This one goal per game ratio is akin to what teams battling relegation conjure up. A decent defence has masked this issue at times, but in another big game against Aris last up, the team once again failed to find the back of the net.

Incredibly, seven out of the 16 goals have come from the penalty spot - almost half! Take this out, and it is scary to imagine where the team would be. A failure to break down stubborn defences has seriously hurt Donis’ troops.

Donis has chopped and changed with combinations in the final third and midfield all season, therefore finding continuity and cohesiveness is difficult. The summer signings such as Yohan Mollo, Uffe Bech, and Dimitris Kolovos have failed to make an impact, and the first two look set to depart next month. Only Ghayas Zahid and Juan Jose Perea have been excellent additions on that front.

Federico Macheda appeared to play through injury earlier this season, but he only has five goals to his name, and that is not good enough for a Panathinaikos leading striker, especially as three out of these five goals have resulted from penalties.

Juan Jose Perea brings hunger, high work rate, and passion in abundance, but at 19 years old, it is unfair to place the scoring burden solely on his shoulders. Donis has opted to start Perea with Macheda in recent weeks, but maybe it is time he brings Argiris Kampetsis into the fold to start with the young Colombian. This competition for places could bring out the best in Macheda.

The team also looks too predictable at times - defences know what is coming next. The Trifylli benefited when Zahid was deployed as an attacking midfielder in the hole, but goals dried up when he picked up an injury. The Norwegian international has recently returned to full fitness, and it is hoped he slots into the starting side to offer some much-needed unpredictability. He has an eye for goal, and playing him close to the strikers to give them excellent service should help.

Half Season Highlight

Beating AEK 3-2 in front of a raucous home crowd at OAKA after trailing by two goals at the interval, will go down as one of the best derbies in recent years. Macheda scored a top solo goal with his weaker foot to start the comeback. Perea equalised after converting a low, Tasos Chatzigiovanis cross (the winger's introduction to the starting team has also helped after he penned a new deal), and then substitute Dimitris Kolovetsios met a corner with an excellent header to spark wild scenes. He did, however, refuse to celebrate against his former club.

Who needs to lift - Federico Macheda

Mollo, Bech, Kolovos, and Fausto have all flattered to deceive, and some will even depart a few months after joining as they are not in Donis’ plans moving forward. As a result, it is Macheda who needs to lift his form since he is firmly in Donis’ plans. The Italian forward enjoyed a relatively productive season in 2018-19 as he hit double figures, but only scoring twice from open play this team - as the team’s main goal-scoring threat - is cause for concern. He could benefit by being rotated as competition for spots heat up, or having a genuine attacking midfielder in the form of Zahid may make a difference, but he needs to improve his all-round game.

by Nick Tsambouniaris

Image Source: to10.gr

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