New chance in Athens

Jordi Clos

 Barça have a second match ball tonight to qualify for the second round of the Champions League. A win at Panathinaikos’ difficult ground (20.45, TV3 and R@dio Barça) would do the trick.

After drawing their last match in Copenhagen (1-1), Barça now have another chance to secure mathematical qualification for the last sixteen in the Champions League. Even a draw at Panathinaikos might be enough, as long as Copenhagen don’t lose in Kazan. The Danes are also a threat to FCB’s place at the top of the table.

Only thinking of Panathinaikos
So the game with the Greek champions is of utmost importance, and there are many reasons to put aside thoughts of the clásico with Madrid for a few more hours. The team showed with its extraordinary 8-0 win in Almeria that they are taking each match as it comes, and are also aware that Madrid is by no means the only big game they have yet to come. There’s no time to relax.

Time to win away
Barça have taken all the players they can to Athens and young Miño, Thiago and Fontàs. The only players left behind are the injured Milito and the suspended Pinto. Barça have only won one of their last eleven road games in Europe, though they have only lost one as well, and winning at home and drawing away was a good enough formula to win one title and reach the semi finals in the other.

Unpredictable opponent
The crowd at the Olympic Stadium is always the source of additional pressure in the Greek capital, but another problem facing the team is the lack of any knowledge of what kind of style new Panathinaikos manager Jesualdo Ferreira, who was formerly at Malaga, is going to impose on the team following the departure of Nioplias. The new coach needs to make amends to a team that has yet to win in the present edition of the Champions League, and has a 1-7 goalscoring record.