In a tantalizing UEFA Europa League third qualifying round second leg, Shakhtar Donetsk will face Panathinaikos at the Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana in Krakow, Poland. With the first leg in Athens ending in a tense goalless draw, the tie is perfectly poised, leaving everything to play for. Both teams will be desperate to avoid extra time and penalties, making this a high-stakes, winner-takes-all encounter.
Shakhtar Donetsk, playing their home games away from home due to ongoing circumstances, will be looking to their superior technical ability and experience to see them through. The Ukrainian champions were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in the first leg, but they created several good opportunities and will be confident of scoring at home.
Under the guidance of coach Rui Vitoria, Shakhtar is known for their attacking flair, with a squad full of promising young talents and seasoned veterans. The performance of key players like Heorhii Sudakov and the prolific Lassina Traoré will be crucial to unlocking Panathinaikos’s defense.
Panathinaikos will be pleased with the first-leg result, as they successfully neutralized Shakhtar’s attack and kept a clean sheet. Coach Arda Turan’s side is tactically disciplined and showed great defensive resilience. They will need to replicate that performance and find a way to score an all-important away goal.
Panathinaikos’s recent form, including a win in their domestic league, gives them a boost of confidence. The Greek side will rely on their solid backline and the creative abilities of players like Anastasios Bakasetas to pose a threat on the counter.
Tactical Analysis and Key Players
The match is expected to be a tight affair, with both teams showing a mix of caution and ambition. Shakhtar will likely dominate possession and try to break down Panathinaikos with a high tempo and intricate passing. They will aim to utilize the wings and exploit any gaps in the opposition’s defense.
Panathinaikos’s strategy will be to sit deep, remain compact, and absorb Shakhtar’s pressure. They will be looking for opportunities to launch quick counter-attacks, using the pace of their wingers to get behind Shakhtar’s defense. A strong defensive performance and a clinical finish from a set-piece or a breakaway could be enough to see them through.
Match Prediction
While Panathinaikos will be a tough nut to crack, Shakhtar’s home advantage (even at a neutral venue) and attacking quality make them the favorites. The Ukrainian side’s ability to create chances and their superior firepower should eventually lead to a goal, which will likely be enough to secure their passage to the next round.
Predicted Score: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Panathinaikos (Shakhtar Donetsk to advance on aggregate)
How to Watch Shakhtar Donetsk vs Panathinaikos Live Stream
The second leg of this Europa League qualifier is scheduled for Thursday, August 14, 2025, with a kick-off at 2:00 PM ET. The match will be broadcast on various platforms.
CountryLive Stream & TV ChannelUnited StatesbeIN SPORTS, Paramount+United KingdomTNT Sports, discovery+CanadaDAZN CanadaUkraineKyivstar TV, UPL.TVGreeceCOSMOTE Sport 2
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
