Rangers vs Panathinaikos: A Clash of Titans in Champions League Qualifiers

BBC Scotland to Broadcast Live Coverage

BBC Scotland is set to provide live television coverage of Rangers' pivotal Champions League qualifying match against Panathinaikos. This highly anticipated encounter will take place at the Athens Olympic Stadium on 30 July, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 BST.

Fixture Details

The second leg of this thrilling qualifier follows the first leg at Ibrox on 22 July. Both teams are eager to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage, making this a must-watch event for football enthusiasts.

Team Backgrounds

Rangers: Last season, Rangers finished as distant runners-up in the Scottish Premiership. They reached the Europa League quarter-finals, only to be defeated by Athletic Bilbao.
Panathinaikos: The Greek giants also finished as runners-up in the Greek Super League, trailing Olympiakos by 16 points. They were eliminated from Europa League qualifying after a penalty shootout with Ajax.

Historical Context

The two teams have a rich history of encounters:

2007-08 UEFA Cup: Rangers progressed on the away goals rule after a 0-0 draw in Glasgow and a 1-1 draw in Athens.
2003 Champions League Group Stage: Panathinaikos beat Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox and drew 1-1 at home.

Recent Performances

Rangers: Lost to Dinamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round last season but made a strong run in the Europa League.
Panathinaikos: Reached the last 16 in the Conference League but have not qualified for the Champions League group stage since the 2010-11 season.

What to Expect

This match promises to be a thrilling contest between two historic clubs. With both teams vying for a spot in the Champions League, fans can expect a high-stakes, action-packed game.