Rafael Benítez, the 65-year-old coach of Panathinaikos Athens, is preparing for an intense matchup against Viktoria Plzeň in the opening round of the knockout phase of the European League. He recalled their previous encounter in December, where his team could only manage a goalless draw despite having a one-hour advantage due to the red card shown to Václav Jemelka of Plzeň. Benítez noted that Plzeň has one of the strongest defenses in the competition, making it difficult for opponents to create scoring opportunities.

During a press conference, Benítez emphasized the challenge posed by Plzeň, stating they employ a very athletic playing style, which adds to the difficulty of competing against them. He mentioned that in eight league matches, Plzeň had only conceded three goals, underlining their solid defensive record. This makes the upcoming match critical, and Benítez is keenly aware of the stakes involved, particularly after a series of inconsistent results for his team in the previous matches.

Despite the mounting pressure from recent performances, Benítez conveyed that he does not feel overwhelmed. His confidence in his team’s abilities remains steady, and he is focused on strategizing for what he expects to be an even tougher contest than their last match against Plzeň. With high expectations from fans and stakeholders alike, the pressure is on Panathinaikos to perform well as they enter this crucial knockout stage of the tournament.