Panathinaikos hosts CSKA Sofia in UEFA Conference League matchday three

Panathinaikos is set to face CSKA Sofia on November 5, 2026, at the OAKA stadium for the third matchday of the UEFA Conference League. Coming off a strong streak of seven consecutive victories across all competitions, the Greek side aims for their third European win following previous successes against Borac and Kairat. The team completed their final training session at Koropi, with manager Jacob Niestrup emphasizing the importance of securing a win to progress toward the knockout stages.

Manager Jacob Niestrup highlighted the challenge posed by the Bulgarian team, noting their recent consistency and improvement since earlier in the season. He dismissed the classification of matches as easy or difficult, focusing instead on reaching the team's optimal performance level. Panathinaikos faces a roster adjustment, as Salah-Edine is ineligible to play in the League Phase. The squad list for the match includes key players such as Pena, Kotsaris, Palmer-Brown, and Pellistri, among others.

A victory for Panathinaikos would significantly boost their chances of finishing in the top eight of the league phase, ensuring direct qualification to the round of 16. The club, which recently secured a derby win against AEK, remains highly focused on maintaining their momentum both domestically and internationally.