The “Trifylli” has been dealt their opening challenge in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and it is no easy task, with the Greens set to square up against Scottish heavyweights Rangers.
The draw for the second qualifying round of Europe’s club competitions for next season took place on Wednesday, with Panathinaikos dealt arguably the most difficult opponent they could have had.
Rangers were indeed the club with the strongest coefficient out of the possible teams Panathinaikos could have drawn, with the Glasgow side’s 71.250 well above the next best in Red Bull Salzburg (48.000) and much higher than the Greens’ 16.000.
The “Trifylli” has over a month to get ready for the tie as they look to pull off another great European qualifying victory after impressive recent triumphs over clubs like Olympique de Marseille and RC Lens.
Should Panathinaikos overcome Rangers, they would also guarantee at least a place in the League Phase of the Conference League, adding further stakes to their much-anticipated clash with the Scottish giants.
The first leg will take place in Glasgow on 22 July (local time) with the deciding leg to then be hosted in Athens the following week.
AEK and Aris also learned of their possible second qualifying round opponents in the Conference League, and it is Enosi that faces a tougher challenge on paper.
The Athenian side was drawn to face the loser of the first round Europa League qualifying tie between Bulgarian club Levski Sofia and Israeli team Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
Aris, meanwhile, will face Azerbaijani side Araz-Naxçıvan in what is a very winnable tie for the Thessaloniki outfit.
Regarding Cyprus’ clubs, reigning champions Pafos will face Maccabi Tel Aviv in a very difficult Champions League qualifying tie.
AEK Larnaca was drawn with Serbian side Partizan in the first qualifying round of the Europa League with it confirmed they will f
Should they win, they will go on to face the winner of the tie between Sabah and Celje but if they lose they will go down to the Conference League qualifiers and take on FC Oleksandriya.
Aris Limassol had a favourable draw for the second qualifying round of the Conference League, with them set to face Hungarian club Puskás Akadémia.
Omonia will face the winner of Torpedo Kutaisi and Ordabasy, a tie in which they will consider themselves favourites.
