Panathinaikos defeats Niki Volos 1-0 in Greek Cup opener

Panathinaikos secured a 1-0 victory against Niki Volos in the opening match of the Greek Cup League Phase at OAKA. The decisive goal was scored in the 59th minute by Vicente Tamborrada, who converted a header following a cross from Levi Garcia.

Despite the win, the match was a challenging encounter for Panathinaikos. An early goal by Desiré Doué was disallowed by VAR due to an offside ruling. The team, managed by Jakob Neestrup, utilized significant rotation to manage player fatigue ahead of their upcoming derby against PAOK. Niki Volos provided a strong defensive performance, nearly equalizing when Eppa hit the post.

Following the match, Neestrup acknowledged the difficulty of breaking down a compact opponent and emphasized the need for preparation for the upcoming high-stakes match against PAOK. Niki Volos issued a statement thanking Panathinaikos for their professional hospitality during the visit to OAKA.