Dessers admits exhaustion after Panathinaikos extra-time win

Cyriel Dessers admitted to feeling exhausted following his decisive role in Panathinaikos' extra-time victory against CSKA 1948. The Super Eagles striker scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of extra time to ensure the Greek side progressed in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.

This appearance marked the Nigerian international's first competitive match for Panathinaikos in 240 days. He had been sidelined for approximately eight months due to a muscle injury sustained during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations while playing for Nigeria.

Dessers was originally expected to play only a limited number of minutes as he works toward full fitness. However, the match required extra time, which extended his time on the pitch beyond the initial plan. The goal came from close range after a combination involving Jagusic and Kyriakopoulos, with the latter providing the cross.

Reflecting on his physical state, Dessers noted that he had been out of action for a significant period. He stated that while he felt tired after the late goal secured qualification, he was happy with the result. He expects to be fully prepared in a few weeks.

The striker also commented on the difficulty of the summer qualifying rounds. He noted that the team had to persevere to get through the process and expressed belief that the squad will continue to improve as they learn.

Dessers compared the current situation to his time at Feyenoord, where the team narrowly avoided elimination in the qualifiers before reaching the final. He stated that the primary goal is to reach the League Phase to allow the team to develop further.