Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has urged Panathinaikos to become more clinical in front of goal and manage matches more intelligently after his decisive strike secured a 1-0 victory over Volos in the Greek Super League.
The Nigerian international scored immediately after the interval on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to hand Panathinaikos all three points at the Panthessaliko Stadium and extend his impressive scoring run to four consecutive matches.
Despite delivering the winning goal, Dessers insisted that his team must improve its ability to finish games comfortably rather than allow opponents opportunities to fight their way back into contests.
Panathinaikos dominated large portions of the encounter but struggled to convert their superiority into goals, leaving the result in doubt until the final whistle.
Dessers, however, made the difference with a composed finish in the 46th minute after Andreas Tetteh produced an excellent attacking move and supplied the decisive pass.
The striker praised his teammate’s contribution, acknowledging the quality of the delivery that allowed him to score.
He also rejected suggestions that fatigue or the playing surface had contributed to Panathinaikos losing control of the contest during a spell in the second half.
According to Dessers, the players felt physically prepared, and the conditions were suitable for the team to perform at its best.
His assessment reflected the balance between satisfaction with the result and frustration that Panathinaikos did not make their dominance count more decisively.
“We were in control of the game for most of it. Only in one part in the second half did we lose control, we allowed our opponent to become more dangerous,” Dessers said after the match.
“We have to be smarter in these situations and try to end the games earlier.”
The forward’s comments highlighted an important challenge for Panathinaikos as they attempt to maintain their strong start to the campaign. Although collecting three points remains the immediate objective, failing to take clear opportunities can leave even dominant teams vulnerable to late pressure.
Against Volos, Panathinaikos created several promising chances before Dessers finally broke the deadlock.
The visitors came close to scoring in the 25th minute when Dessers rounded the goalkeeper but struck the left post from a difficult angle. Volos goalkeeper Siabanis subsequently denied Antino, while Rick van Drongelen also saw a close-range header saved before the interval.
Panathinaikos finished the first half with 73 per cent possession and a commanding 13-0 advantage in shots, yet they entered the break without a goal.
Their persistence eventually paid off immediately after the restart.
Tetteh found space in the attacking area before delivering a pass towards the far post, where Dessers timed his movement perfectly to finish and give Panathinaikos the lead.
The goal was another demonstration of the Nigerian striker’s importance to the Greek side, particularly during a period in which his return to form has strengthened their attacking options.
Panathinaikos nearly doubled their advantage in the 50th minute, but Levi Garcia’s powerful effort struck the right post.
Volos gradually became more threatening as the match progressed, forcing the visitors to concentrate on protecting their narrow lead. Nevertheless, Panathinaikos managed the closing stages and secured another valuable victory.
The result extended the club’s winning run to four matches across competitions and kept them at the top of the Greek Super League standings.
For Dessers, the goal represented another significant personal milestone in a season that has gathered momentum following his return from injury.
The striker has now scored nine goals in 14 appearances across all competitions, according to reports published after the match. His latest contribution also extended his scoring streak to four consecutive games, following goals against Borac, Asteras and Kairat.
His performances have been particularly important in European competition, where his goals helped Panathinaikos progress through the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds and into the league phase.
The Nigerian forward’s growing influence has also attracted praise from Greek football observers, with journalist Tasos Nikologiannis highlighting his importance to the team in both domestic and European matches.
Beyond his individual achievements, Dessers believes Panathinaikos still have considerable room to improve, particularly in their attacking combinations.
He expressed satisfaction with his developing partnership with Tetteh, noting that the two forwards had only recently begun playing together regularly.
Dessers believes their understanding will continue to improve as they gain more experience alongside one another and other attacking options, including Levi Garcia and Rastoder.
He suggested that more effective combinations around the penalty area could make Panathinaikos increasingly difficult for opposing defences to contain.
The comments offer an insight into the striker’s approach. While his goals have become increasingly valuable, he is also focused on improving the collective performance of the team.
For Nigeria, Dessers’ continued goalscoring form is an encouraging development as the Super Eagles monitor the performances of their forwards playing abroad.
Maintaining this level of consistency will be important for the striker as he seeks to strengthen his position at club level and remain a prominent option for the national team.
Panathinaikos will now look to carry their momentum into their upcoming fixtures, with Dessers expected to remain central to their attacking plans.
His latest match-winning contribution delivered the result the club wanted. His post-match message, however, made it clear that he expects more.
For Dessers, winning is essential, but learning to control matches and convert dominance into a more comfortable margin could prove decisive in Panathinaikos’ pursuit of success this season.
