Lens
For the “Blood and Gold,” the season is just beginning. So far, they have played only one official match, which was in Ligue 1, where they secured a 1-0 away victory against Angers. The visitors were sharper and more active, making the result well-deserved.
It’s difficult to assess the team’s form based on just one match, so it’s worth recalling their summer friendlies. In eight games, Lens achieved 6 wins, suffered one loss, and drew once. Retaining their place in European competitions is crucial, even if it’s in the less prestigious Conference League.
Read also: Borussia Dortmund vs Eintracht Frankfurt.
Panathinaikos
The Greek giants started their European campaign in the Europa League qualifiers, where they confidently defeated Bulgarian side Botev Plovdiv, winning 2-1 at home and 4-0 away.
The battle against the formidable Ajax was a different story. Panathinaikos lost 0-1 at home but then took revenge with the same score in the return leg. The tie was decided by a penalty shootout, with each team taking 17 attempts, and the Dutch side ultimately advanced. The start of their domestic league campaign was disappointing, as they lost 0-1 at home to Asteras Tripolis. The key moment was a red card for the hosts early in the second half, after which they conceded.
Read also: Parma vs Milan.