Panathinaikos coach Jakob Nielsen reacts to qualifying win over CSKA 1948

Panathinaikos coach Jakob Nielsen expressed satisfaction following the team's 2-1 victory over CSKA 1948 in Sofia, which secured their progression in the European qualifiers. Nielsen noted that the win required significant tactical adjustments due to injuries, specifically the absence of three out of four full-backs, forcing the team to play with a five-man defense.

Nielsen described his decision to leave striker Janković on the bench as the biggest risk of the match. He also addressed questions regarding the financial disparity between the clubs, noting that while Panathinaikos has invested significantly—nearly 25 million euros—the pressure to perform remains immense due to the club's stature. He emphasized that the current priority is navigating the qualifying rounds to climb the European ladder.