Fiorentina Faces Panathinaikos in High-Stakes Conference League Clash

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Fiorentina will host Panathinaikos at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 13, 2025, in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. After a thrilling first leg in Athens, where Panathinaikos edged out a 3-2 victory, Fiorentina is eager to turn the tide and avoid an early exit from the tournament they are desperate to conquer.

In the first leg, the Greek side made a stunning start, taking a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes. However, Fiorentina rallied quickly, equalizing within four minutes with two quick goals. Despite having a potential third goal disallowed by VAR, Panathinaikos sealed the first leg victory shortly after halftime, putting them in a favorable position.

If Fiorentina can overcome this one-goal deficit, they could face either Celje or Lugano in the quarter-finals. Both teams are strong contenders, but Fiorentina’s history in the tournament may offer them confidence. Last season, they finished as runners-up to West Ham United and lost to Panathinaikos in the final the previous year.

“A one-goal deficit isn’t insurmountable for us,” said Fiorentina head coach Raffaele Palladino. “We’ve faced adversity before and come through. The experience in crucial matches will play to our advantage.”

Fiorentina’s path to the knockout stage has been challenging. After finishing third in the league phase, they garnered 13 points from a potential 18. However, their current form is concerning, with five losses in their last six outings, including a 2-1 defeat to Napoli last weekend.

Injuries and suspensions have plagued Fiorentina’s lineup. Key players such as goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano and forward Moise Kean are expected to return for this crucial clash, which Palladino hopes will motivate the team as they aim for a turnaround.

On the other side, Panathinaikos has had a mixed European campaign this season. They qualified for the knockout stage despite a lackluster league phase, in which they collected just 10 points. Their last second-leg win over Vikingur Reykjavik has demonstrated their resilience, as they needed a late winner to avoid elimination.

“The first leg win has given us confidence, but we know Fiorentina will be a tough opponent,” said Panathinaikos head coach Pedro Martins. “We have to stay disciplined and maintain our focus.”

Palladino’s tactics will be urged to motivate the Fiorentina side as they look to keep their dream of European glory alive. A victory would not only advance them to the quarter-finals but also serve as a much-needed boost to a squad that has struggled domestically.

As both teams prepare for the decisive encounter, the pressure mounts. With only one goal separating them, Fiorentina and Panathinaikos will leave it all on the pitch Thursday night, making for a blockbuster evening of football in Florence.