Panathinaikos secures victory against Borac Banja Luka in Conference League opener

Panathinaikos kicked off their Conference League League Phase campaign with a 2-1 victory against Borac Banja Luka at the OAKA stadium on October 15, 2026. Desers opened the scoring with a penalty in the 10th minute, and Kangwa extended the lead in the 70th minute following an assist by Antino. Despite conceding a goal against the flow of play, the Greek side managed to hold onto the lead to secure three points.

Heading into the match, the team faced pressure following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Olympiacos in the domestic league. Coach Jacob Neestrup emphasized the need for a strong reaction and tactical discipline after the team failed to meet expectations in the derby. For this encounter, Neestrup integrated Victor Kristiansen into the match squad for the first time, while Salah-Eddine, Chavez, and Ciriveja remained excluded from the European list.

Following this result, Panathinaikos currently holds the 9th position in the Conference League table. The win serves as an important confidence booster for the club as they navigate a dense schedule across three competitions, aiming to build on their successful summer qualification campaign.