Former goalkeeper of Donetsk "Shakhtar" Yurii Virt shared his expectations for the first match of the third qualifying round of the Europa League between "Panathinaikos" and "the miners".
"Panathinaikos" is not "Besiktas". The Greeks have a more disciplined team
"I would like to see such a result — two victories and the same bright game. Let’s hope that "Shakhtar" does not lose momentum. But it seems to me that "Panathinaikos" is not "Besiktas". In my opinion, "Panathinaikos" is a more disciplined team, which also has many foreign players, for example, former "Shakhtar" player Brazilian Tete, as well as Argentinians, Poles, Serbs, Slovenians, Spaniards, etc.
They have an experienced coach — Portuguese Rui Vitoria. Plus, everyone knows their stadium, where there is incredible support. Everyone knows how the Greeks support their teams, especially since the match will be held at the "Olympic" stadium, which accommodates 70 thousand fans, so it will be extremely difficult. However, if "Shakhtar" plays the same way they did against "Besiktas", then their chances for a positive result will be quite good.
I believe in a "Shakhtar" victory with a score of 2:1," said Virt.
