Greek resolve shines as Panathinaikos hold Roma and PAOK fall with honour against Lyon. PAOK delivered a courageous but ultimately heartbreaking performance against Lyon in France. Despite contrasting results, both Greek clubs underlined their character on the European stage, combining discipline, intensity and spirit to secure progression to the knockout rounds and leave a strong impression against elite opposition.
At the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Panathinaikos held Roma to a 1–1 draw to close out the league phase on 12 points, finishing 20th overall. The Greens endured early pressure as Roma looked threatening, but the match shifted decisively when Gianluca Mancini was sent off in the 15th minute following a VAR review.
With the numerical advantage, Panathinaikos grew into the contest and came close to breaking the deadlock before the interval, Giorgos Katris rattling the crossbar with an ambitious long-range strike in the 37th minute. Their persistence paid off shortly after the restart when Vicente Taborda reacted quickest to a defensive lapse, calmly guiding the ball into the bottom corner in the 57th minute.
Roma eventually salvaged a point through Jan Ziolkowski, whose header in the 80th minute restored parity, but the visitors were unable to capitalise further. Having already secured progression prior to kick-off, Panathinaikos now turn their attention to the knockout play-offs, where they will face either Viktoria Plzen or Nottingham Forest. A potential tie with Forest would carry added intrigue given the shared ownership links with Olympiacos.
In France, PAOK’s clash with Lyon was overshadowed by tragedy, following the deaths of seven supporters earlier in the week. Against that backdrop, the Thessaloniki side showed remarkable spirit despite falling 4–2. Giorgos Giakoumakis opened the scoring in the 20th minute, though celebrations were understandably subdued.
Lyon drew level through Rémi Himbert on 33 minutes, before PAOK were reduced to ten men when Giannis Konstantelias received a second yellow card just before half-time. Khalis Merah put the hosts ahead early in the second half, but PAOK refused to fold, equalising through Soualiho Meïté in the 66th minute.
The numerical disadvantage eventually told, with Lyon striking twice late on via Adam Karabec (88′) and Alejandro Rodríguez (90+3′) to seal the result. PAOK nonetheless finished the league phase in 17th place on 12 points and, like Panathinaikos, move on to the knockouts. They will meet either Crvena Zvezda or Celta de Vigo for a place in the Round of 16.
Elsewhere, Konstantinos Karetsas struck an 82nd-minute winner to hand Genk a 2–1 victory over Malmo. Despite the win, Genk narrowly missed out on a top-eight finish, with Roma’s draw proving enough to keep them ahead on goal difference.
