Europa League 2025-2026: Young Boys-Panathinaikos, the likely lineups

At 9 p.m. at the Wankdorf in Bern is the showdown between Young Boys and Panathinaikos, the first day of the Europa League’s single group stage, a confrontation between two teams that earned access to the competition by passing their respective playoffs. The Swiss champions eliminated Slovan Bratislava, while the Greeks got the better of Samsunspor.

Contini will rely on a solid 4-4-2: forward space for the tandem formed by Fassnacht and Bedia. On the outside midfield will act Monteiro and Gigovic, while the central defensive pair will consist of Zoukrou and Benito, deployed to protect goalkeeper Keller. The infirmary remains crowded: Sanches, Conte, Wuthrich and Seiler will be absent through injury.

Rui Vitória will respond with an offensive 4-3-3: at the center of the attack will be Dessers, flanked by Tete and Djuricic on the side lanes. In defense, two familiar faces from Serie A will man the flanks: Calabria on the right and Kyriakopoulos on the left. In the center, space will be given to the Palmer-Brown pair and Touba.

Probable lineups

Young Boys (4-4-2): Keller; Janko, Zoukrou, Benito, Hadjam; Virginius, Raveloson, Fernandes, Monteiro; Bedia, Gigovic. All: Contini.

Panathinaikos (4-3-3): Dragowski; Calabria, Palmer-Brown, Touba, Kyriakopoulos; Bakasetas, Chirivella, Cerin; Tete, Dessers, Djuricic, All: Rui Vitoria