Tete (foto: Uradni facebook profil kluba)
Panathinaikos' top scorer Fotis Ioannidis and Brazilian winger Tete are fit and ready for the Europa League third qualifying round matches against Ajax.
Good news for Panathinaikos ahead of their Europa League third qualifying round match against Ajax: their top scorer, Fotis Ioannidis, is fit and ready to play. The 24-year-old Greek forward had been dealing with an injury during the preseason, causing him to miss the earlier qualifying round.
Trainer Diego Alonso confirmed during the pre-match press conference that Ioannidis is set to take the field against Ajax. "He has been training with the team for the past two weeks, and he is getting better each time. He is coming back from an injury but is available for Thursday’s game. Having him is a crucial asset," Alonso stated. Ioannidis scored 23 goals in 44 matches last season.
Additionally, Brazilian winger Tete is also expected to be back in action for the match against Ajax. Panathinaikos was only able to field him in the return leg of the previous Europa League qualifying round against Botev Plovdiv. Tete, who transferred from Galatasaray for over seven million euros this summer, played the last half-hour of that match.
Ajax and Panathinaikos will face each other for the first leg of the third qualifying round on Thursday evening, with the match kicking off at 20:00 in Athens. The return leg is scheduled for a week later at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Key Points:
- Fotis Ioannidis and Tete are fit to play against Ajax.
- Ioannidis scored 23 goals in 44 matches last season.
- Tete joined Panathinaikos from Galatasaray for over seven million euros.
- The first leg will be played in Athens, with the return leg in Amsterdam.
With both Ioannidis and Tete ready to contribute, Panathinaikos will be looking to make a strong impression against Ajax in their quest to advance in the Europa League.