Siopis absent against Rapid, and it says a lot
Manolis Siopis did not play a single minute in Panathinaikos' friendly against Rapid Vienna on Thursday. That was a 120-minute match, arranged specifically so both coaches could give everyone a run-out. Everyone except Siopis (3).
The Greek midfielder was the only outfield player left on the bench for the entire game. No injury has been reported. No late tactical switch. Just a DNP next to his name, and fans are reading it exactly as you'd expect: the club is moving on from him (3).
The friendly itself was unusual. Two full hours of football, split into segments, by mutual agreement between the managers. A fitness exercise more than a contest. And Siopis still did not feature.
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Panathinaikos are in pre-season, 4th in last season's table with 52 points from 32 matches, and now building toward the 2026-27 campaign. The new white away kit with the Athens map emblem has already been unveiled. But the squad is still taking shape, and Thursday's teamsheet told a clear story about one name.
No official word from the club yet. But when a coach plays a 120-minute friendly and you are the only senior outfield player who does not get on the pitch, the message is not subtle (3).
Fan reactions
The Panathinaikos fanbase is not waiting for an announcement. Discussion online has already shifted to where Siopis might land next, with most supporters treating his departure as a done deal. The consensus: if the manager excluded him from a two-hour fitness exercise, there is no way back.
