Panathinaikos Faces Roma in Key Europa League Clash

Greek side looks to overcome key absences and secure Europa League knockout stage berth

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:23pm

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Panathinaikos prepares to host AS Roma in their final UEFA Europa League group stage match, facing a challenging fixture with several key players sidelined. While Roma has already secured qualification as a seeded team, Panathinaikos still has pride – and perhaps a Europa League knockout stage berth – to play for. This match, set to be a tense affair at the apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, demands a focused performance from the Greek side despite their injury concerns.

Why it matters

This Europa League clash holds significance for Panathinaikos, as a win or draw could secure them a spot in the knockout stage, despite Roma already qualifying. A strong performance against an established European club like Roma would also boost Panathinaikos' reputation, enhance player values, and provide a financial windfall from advancing in the competition.

The details

Panathinaikos will be without several key players, including defender Bernard Koller, winger Aitor Cantalapiedra, and midfielder Wilfried Ndidi. These absences will force coach Philippe Montanier to reshuffle his lineup, potentially relying on a more pragmatic approach focused on defensive solidity, counter-attacking threat, and set-piece efficiency. Roma, led by Daniele De Rossi, is expected to control possession and dictate the tempo, posing a significant threat with Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku leading the attack.

  • Panathinaikos and Roma will face off on January 29, 2026 at the Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium in Athens, Greece.

The players

Philippe Montanier

The head coach of Panathinaikos, responsible for leading the team and making tactical adjustments to overcome their injury concerns.

Daniele De Rossi

The manager of AS Roma, tasked with guiding the Italian club to victory in the Europa League group stage match.

Paulo Dybala

The Argentine forward for AS Roma, expected to lead the attack against Panathinaikos.

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian striker for AS Roma, partnering with Dybala in the Roma attack.

Bernard Koller

The Panathinaikos defender who is ruled out with a hamstring injury, weakening the Greek side's defensive line.

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What they’re saying

“We must overcome the absences of key players and deliver a focused performance to secure a positive result against Roma.”

— Philippe Montanier, Head Coach, Panathinaikos

“Despite already qualifying, we will approach this match with the same intensity and determination as any other Europa League fixture.”

— Daniele De Rossi, Manager, AS Roma

What’s next

Panathinaikos will need to wait for the results of the other group stage match to determine if their result against Roma is enough to secure a spot in the Europa League knockout stage.

The takeaway

This Europa League clash between Panathinaikos and Roma presents an opportunity for the Greek side to overcome their injury challenges, secure a positive result, and potentially advance to the knockout stage, which would provide a significant boost to the club's reputation, player values, and financial standing.