Rastonder starts as Panathinaikos face Rapid Vienna in dress rehearsal
Your team's final friendly before the Conference League qualifiers kicks off Wednesday afternoon against Rapid Vienna, and Rui Vitória has thrown in some surprises (1) (2). The headline pick: Rastonder gets the nod in a lineup that also features Peña, Tsapras, De Vrij, Toumba, Kyriakopoulos, Kamara, Tserin, Tamporda, Zarouri, and Antino (1) (2). This is the last chance to shake things out before the games start counting.
A 120-minute test by design
This is not an ordinary friendly. Vitória and the Rapid Vienna coach agreed beforehand to play a full 120 minutes, split into four 30-minute quarters, to maximise fitness work (1). Expect heavy rotation as the match wears on, the bench will empty.
The qualifier clock is ticking
Conference League qualifying is right around the corner. Vitória used the pre-match setup to trial what looks close to his preferred XI, but with enough curveballs to suggest a few spots are still open (1). The 120-minute format gives fringe players a long audition.
