Standard Liège vs Panathinaikos Athens Match Preview
Standard have Panathinaikos in a choke hold and the Greeks are coming close to loosing consciousness. The Belgium side already feel they have secured a spot in the quarters, especially since the Greeks have yet to win a game in Belgium. Standard have a right to be consumed with confidence. They have only lost one in their last eleven European home fixtures.
The Belgians are elated at the opportunity that awaits them. Ninety more minutes and they will reach the quarter finals of a major UEFA club competition since the 1981/82 season. Look for this team to impress the fans at home. Expect big tantalizing play from Witsel and Jovanovic. Opposition midfielder Gilberto shed some light on to Standard\'s success. \"Jovanović is a good player but I think it is more to do with the way that Standard played as a team against us. They are a solid unit and that made the difference.\" The only low point for Liege is that they will be without their Captain Steven Defour who suffered muscle tear in the first fixture. Whatever the case may be expect no mercy to be shown by the Belgians as they try to storm into the quarter finals.
The Greeks would like to come away from this fixture with their heads in the air. They really have a difficult task at hand. They are still sitting in the top spot in the Greek Super League and continue to dominate. The main question is can they bring tenacity and enthusiasm to Belgium this week. Panathinaikos record against Belgian clubs doesn\'t necessarily flatter them. They are 2-4-5 and 0-1-4 when playing in Belgium. The Greens will be trying to counter a lack luster performance at home. Cisse must get involved early and torment Standards back line. Gilberto must lead by example and take control of the midfield playing precision balls to his team mates and shutting down the oppositions movement. It looks like the Greeks will be without key defender Loukas Vyntra who injured his arm scoring Panathinaikos only goal at home. Also Junior Simao will not be available after seeing red in the 90th minute at home. The Greeks need strong solid play to pull off any kind of miracle in Belgium.
