Panathinaikos Athens vs AS Roma Match Preview
This is a game of firsts for Greek Panathinaikos. They have a new coach in Nikos Nioplias and this is the team’s first competitive meeting versus AS Roma. Panathinaikos finished second behind Turkish Galatasaray in the group stage and they are in first place in Greece, 3 points in front of Olimpiacos. Sunday, they suffered their first lost in the last seven matches; they lost 0-2 at home versus 7th place Kavala. Panathinaikos has had relative success in European play. They reached the European Cup final in 1971 and lost to Ajax 2-0. More recently, they played in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals in the 2002/03 season. Presently, Brasilian Gilberto and Frenchman Cisse are experienced players who played in major European clubs and can contribute to make the team more competitive.
AS Roma won the 1984 European Cup and they were the 1991 UEFA Cup runner-up. They arrive at this match in great form. They won their group in the group stage edging Fulham by 2 points and they have only lost one game in five European away games. The team from the eternal city is also going through a great stretch in domestic soil. They defeated Palermo 4-1 on Saturday, extending their unbeaten streak to 20 games, and they have won 9 straight. Roma are in second place in the Serie A, only 6 points behind Inter Milan. Luca Toni, signed from Bayern Munich, is the reference up front, although his presence in this match is questionable due to injury. Star midfielder Francesco Totti, the unquestionable leader with an extensive repertoire of goals and assists, will be present.
