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Greek Super League Play-Offs Preview: Panathinaikos
The importance of Champions League football next season will not be lost on Greece's European princes.
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May 8, 2009 6:22:20 PM
A wonderful season in Europe that saw the club reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League was not replicated domestically, as Henk Ten Cate’s Panathinaikos could not even manage second.
Having allowed bitter rivals Olympiakos to run away with their 12th title in 13 years, it would be difficult not to label the season as a failure if Pana aren’t able to secure a chance of Champions League football next season.
This is a club that prides itself on its European pedigree; it is the one that historically has carried the Greek flag on the continent and the only of its nation to have ever reached the major final of a European competition, where in 1971 they lost out to Cruyff’s Ajax at Wembley in the European Cup.
Heavy investment during the off-season has marked the return of the Athenians as a force that can perhaps challenge Olympiakos’ monopoly on silverware and finances but much of this will depend upon the revenue stream opened up by Champions League qualification for next season.
Now is the time to consolidate – they have the players but the mental fortitude and application has sometimes been lacking on the domestic scene this season and it is here where Ten Cate’s biggest challenge lies.
Form
Mar 15. Thrasyvoulos 0-1 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Mar 22. Asteras Tripolis 1-1 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Apr 5. Panathinaikos 2-0 Skoda Xanthi (Greek Super League)
Apr 12. Panserraikos 0-0 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Apr 26. Panathinaikos 3-1 OFI Crete (Greek Super League)
Team News
Most key first team players appear to be without injury concerns, with Brazilian winger Gabriel having trained alone this week and fellow countryman Marcelo Mattos receiving treatment, along with Polish defender Jakub Wawrzyniak.
Key Player
Dimitris Salpiggidis scored for Greece on his last international outing but hasn’t found the net with the same regularity for Panathinaikos this season that we have become accustomed to. His pace and directness however will always remain a threat and in a tight mini-league, it might be his ability to work on the counter that will be crucial to his side’s chances.
Prediction
Have the players, have the manager – but do they have the mindset? Might just get to first place in the end.
1st Place.
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
Having allowed bitter rivals Olympiakos to run away with their 12th title in 13 years, it would be difficult not to label the season as a failure if Pana aren’t able to secure a chance of Champions League football next season.
This is a club that prides itself on its European pedigree; it is the one that historically has carried the Greek flag on the continent and the only of its nation to have ever reached the major final of a European competition, where in 1971 they lost out to Cruyff’s Ajax at Wembley in the European Cup.
Heavy investment during the off-season has marked the return of the Athenians as a force that can perhaps challenge Olympiakos’ monopoly on silverware and finances but much of this will depend upon the revenue stream opened up by Champions League qualification for next season.
Now is the time to consolidate – they have the players but the mental fortitude and application has sometimes been lacking on the domestic scene this season and it is here where Ten Cate’s biggest challenge lies.
Form
Mar 15. Thrasyvoulos 0-1 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Mar 22. Asteras Tripolis 1-1 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Apr 5. Panathinaikos 2-0 Skoda Xanthi (Greek Super League)
Apr 12. Panserraikos 0-0 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Apr 26. Panathinaikos 3-1 OFI Crete (Greek Super League)
Team News
Most key first team players appear to be without injury concerns, with Brazilian winger Gabriel having trained alone this week and fellow countryman Marcelo Mattos receiving treatment, along with Polish defender Jakub Wawrzyniak.
Key Player
Dimitris Salpiggidis scored for Greece on his last international outing but hasn’t found the net with the same regularity for Panathinaikos this season that we have become accustomed to. His pace and directness however will always remain a threat and in a tight mini-league, it might be his ability to work on the counter that will be crucial to his side’s chances.
Prediction
Have the players, have the manager – but do they have the mindset? Might just get to first place in the end.
1st Place.
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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