The UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round serves up a high-stakes clash as Greek giants Panathinaikos host Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar Donetsk at the Athens Olympic Stadium. This marks the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs, with both sides looking to gain a crucial advantage in the first leg of this two-match series.
Panathinaikos enters the match with a point to prove after being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by Rangers. The Greek side, under manager Rui Vitória, will be counting on their passionate home crowd to inspire a strong performance. Shakhtar Donetsk, meanwhile, are in excellent form, having sailed through their first two Europa League qualifying rounds with dominant victories. The Ukrainian side, guided by manager Arda Turan, will be aiming to continue their impressive run and score a vital away goal. This clash promises to be a tactical battle of attrition, as both clubs have a clear path to the play-off round in their sights.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Stadium: Athens Olympic Stadium
- Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 2:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM EEST
- Referee: Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
There is no known competitive head-to-head record between Panathinaikos and Shakhtar Donetsk. As this is their first-ever official meeting, recent form and tactical preparation will be the most important factors heading into this match.
Panathinaikos:
Panathinaikos enters this crucial qualifier on the back of a mixed run, with one draw and one loss in their last two competitive matches against Rangers in the Champions League qualifiers. Their domestic league season has yet to begin, which may leave them short of match fitness compared to their opponents. However, their home form has been a source of strength, and they will be looking to their passionate supporters to give them an extra boost and secure a positive result in this first leg. The Greeks have struggled to score in recent matches, netting only once in their last five fixtures. This will be a major concern for manager Rui Vitória, who will be hoping his forwards can find their scoring boots.
- July 30, 2025: Panathinaikos 1–1 Rangers (Champions League Qualifying)
- July 22, 2025: Rangers 2–0 Panathinaikos (Champions League Qualifying)
- May 11, 2025: Panathinaikos 0–1 Olympiakos (Greek Super League)
- May 4, 2025: AEK Athens 1–2 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Shakhtar Donetsk:
Shakhtar Donetsk comes into this match with an impressive run of form, with four wins and one draw in their last five matches. They have been dominant in their Europa League qualifying campaign, dispatching Ilves and Besiktas with a combined aggregate score of 12-2. The Ukrainian side has a reputation for playing an attacking brand of football, which could pose a significant challenge for the Panathinaikos defense. They will be confident coming into this match and will be looking to score a crucial away goal to give them an advantage for the second leg. Notably, their Brazilian contingent has been in red-hot form, scoring all 12 of their goals in this European season so far.
- August 3, 2025: Epitsentr 0–1 Shakhtar (Ukrainian Premier League)
- July 31, 2025: Shakhtar 2–0 Beşiktaş (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 24, 2025: Beşiktaş 2–4 Shakhtar (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 17, 2025: Ilves 0–0 Shakhtar (Europa League Qualifying)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a high-octane encounter between two teams with contrasting recent fortunes. Panathinaikos will likely employ a structured 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on midfield control and disciplined pressing. The Greek side will rely on the creativity of their midfielders, such as Anastasios Bakasetas and Filip Đuričić, to create chances for striker Fotis Ioannidis. On the other hand, Shakhtar, under Arda Turan, is expected to play a fluid and dynamic 4-1-4-1 formation. They will rely on the pace and skill of their Brazilian-led attack, with key players like Kevin Santos and Kaua Elias Nogueira posing a constant threat. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with Shakhtar’s ability to transition quickly on the counter-attack being a key factor to watch. Panathinaikos’ defense will need to be at its best to contain Shakhtar’s potent attack, while also creating opportunities for their own forwards to exploit the Ukrainian’s occasional defensive lapses.
How to Watch Panathinaikos vs. Shakhtar Donetsk on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| Greece | Cosmote Sport 1 HD |
| Ukraine | N/A |
| United States | beIN SPORTS, Fox Sports |
| United Kingdom | N/A |
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS and Fox Sports. In Greece, fans can watch the match live on Cosmote Sport 1 HD. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels for European qualifiers, so it is worth checking those sources.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
