Panathinaikos fought back with determination against Viktoria Plzen, overturning the score with two superb goals from Andreas Tetteh before conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw at the OAKA. The Europa League last-16 qualification will now be decided next Thursday (26/2, 19:45) in Plzen.
Rafa Benitez kept his 3-4-2-1 formation and made six changes to the starting line-up compared to the match against AEL four days earlier. He handed starts to Palmer-Brown, Ingason, Kyriakopoulos, Renato Sanches, Pantovic and Tetteh, with the latter making his European debut for the Greens.
Plzen created the first chance in the sixth minute through Hrosovsky, whose long-range effort flew over the bar. The Czech side took the lead in the 11th minute after a mistake by Pantovic high up the pitch allowed Laval to break forward. Lafont saved the initial shot, but Cerv squared the ball to Vizinski, who fired home powerfully for 1-0.
Panathinaikos responded in the 31st minute. Kyriakopoulos combined with Bakasetas before delivering a cross that Tetteh met with a magnificent header to level the match at 1-1.
The hosts started the second half strongly. In the 51st minute, Tetteh nearly scored again, but Vikele denied him with his feet. The comeback became complete in the 61st minute when Tetteh collected the ball just below the halfway line, beat Spacil with skill and composure, and finished brilliantly to make it 2-1.
Plzen pushed for an equaliser and found it in the 80th minute. After sustained pressure inside the Panathinaikos box, Landra struck a powerful curling shot that beat Lafont and silenced the home crowd.
Bakasetas missed a late opportunity in the 90th minute to restore the lead, while Lafont produced a crucial save in stoppage time to deny Memic. The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of the return leg in the Czech Republic.
