Panathinaikos’ ambitions for 2019
After an outstanding first half in the 2018-19 Greek Super League season, Panathinaikos has redeemed itself and is now ready to push on and deliver on the fresh optimism that has been evident for the last four months.
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Here is what the club will be aiming for in 2019.
A Top 5 Finish in the League
After 14 rounds, the team currently sits in 5th spot (one point ahead of Panetolikos). The -6 was erased in the best possible manner as the team took advantage of an ‘easier’ start to the season. Pushing on now and replicating the early season form will be key to cementing a top 5 finish as the next run of fixtures represent a great opportunity to keep on winning.
Remaining undefeated at home will also be key. PAOK, Olympiacos, OFI and Aris (teams the Greens could not beat away) will all come to OAKA in the second half of the season. Playing without fear on the front foot with that unpredictability in the final third will ensure the team remains hard to beat. The ‘never say die attitude’ that saw the team score several vital late goals will also be required.
A top 5 finish in the League will be vital for the psychology of the young team moving forward beyond this season. Additionally, it would result in the club more than likely finishing in the European places (should one of the top 4 win the Greek Cup).
Overturning the European Ban
Finishing in the European places is imperative for a club the size of Panathinaikos, however, as it stands even if they were to finish in the top 5 they would be forced to sit out from any continental competition as part of their ban from UEFA. The punishment states that the club will be forced to miss the first season in which they qualify for any European competition in any of the next three seasons. It automatically stops after the third season.
This ban would get wiped away the moment Panathinaikos qualifies for any tournament but there has been talk that Giannis Alafouzos has been in contact with UEFA about overturning this ban. This would be a welcomed boost following the great start to the season, now that the -6 has been swiftly erased. If not for that, the Trifylli would sit on equal points with 3rd placed Atromitos on 28.
It would be a shame if the players and coach were punished for something out of their control.
Locking Down Young Guns
The young, Greek core that have played a significant role in turning around Panathinaikos’ fortunes will undoubtedly attract the interest of some of Europe’s elite clubs over the next two transfer windows. Locking them down long-term will be vital in any future success the club enjoys as Giorgos Donis has the potential to build the team around players such as Tasos Chatzigiovannis, Giannis Bouzoukis, Argiris Kampetsis, Ilias Chatzitheodoridis, Dimitris Emmanouilidis and Theofanis Mavromatis.
Missing out on European action next season will also be a huge detriment in the club’s bid to keep these talented youngsters. This will keep them happy and provide them an extra incentive to stay at the club.
They are flourishing under the expert guidance of Donis and playing regularly (something which may not happen if they move elsewhere). The good news is that everything that has come out of the club indicates no one will be sold in January.
Giving them new and improved deals will also help in the future.
Winning the Greek Cup
Panathinaikos is very much alive in the Greek Cup after topping their group ahead of Kissamikos, Panetolikos and Ierapetra, not losing a single game. As a result, the Greens will face Lamia in the Round of 16 stage of the competition in the New Year. This represents a golden opportunity to exact revenge on their opponents after getting eliminated at the same stage by the same team last season.
Donis has heavily rotated the squad in this competition so far and it has enabled fringe players to make a name for themselves. It will be interesting to see how the team lines up as things get more serious and silverware becomes closer.
Winning the Cup is a realistic aim for the Greens as it paves the way for a European spot and especially since the other title challengers will have their sights set on League or European glory.
The team is definitely playing in a confident manner at the moment to go all the way but avoiding complacency will be key. Going on a deep run will be the minimum, but winning it will hand the club its first trophy since 2014.
Financial Consolidation and New Ownership
The bleak financial outlook has only slightly improved as Alafouzos has reneged on his original words by beginning to invest in the team again, and paying players and other staff. However, longer term the future of Panathinaikos still remains more uncertain than ever. Only the great form on the pitch is masking the problems off it.
The threat of relegation has been eliminated and Alafouzos has also kept his promises to Donis and Nikos Dabizas so far but it is unknown what his intentions are for the future. If things were to continue as they presently are, there is no chance the Trifylli ever catches AEK, PAOK or Olympiacos in terms of building a squad.
Furthermore, Pairoj Piempongsant and Pan Asia has all but disappeared and the ship appears to have sailed on the takeover front. No one can say with certainty whether or not the proposed takeover would have been a good thing but it is clear the the club requires someone with money to come in and spend a lot more than Alafouzos will, not only in terms of building a squad but also infrastructure.
Then there is also the “Athens Alive OAKA” project proposed by Dimitris Giannakopoulos with the assistance of the Government, but likewise everything has gone quiet on that front.
The Panathinaikos world will be hoping someone with money and a love for the club will enter in 2019 to take the club to the next level and bring the glory days back.
