Europa League: Panathinaikos take on Standard Liege!

By Lawrence Prince-Wright

The crucial last 16 leg of the Europa League has dawned upon us, promising both intense football and nerve-racking tension for football lovers around the world. This seasons last 16 teams have it all, from lowly clubs desperately trying to make a name for themselves in Europe to the European giants who won’t stop at much to get their hands on the silverware.  Personally I believe this seasons Europa League gives the teams who have lagged way behind in their domestic campaigns (cough, cough Liverpool)  a chance to convey to frustrated fans that they’ve still got that fighting spirit; although there won’t be any titles won at home there still is a chance of winning one abroad. Realistically speaking mangers must and, well don’t have much choice other than to only focus on one achievement.

That being said, there are of course exceptions to this rule and (surprise, surprise) Sir Alex is one of them. If you happen to be blessed by the likes of the ‘White Pele’ or Drogba by all means aim to achieve a vast number of targets but for the majority of football managers, I’m talking about the ones which haven’t been lucky enough to stumble upon a prodigy, one attainable task to show off to fans is enough and, well to be honest, keeps you from getting sacked! This, therefore, highlights the importance of the last 16 leg of the Europa League; it gives teams that don’t go for much domestically a chance to prove their might abroad. It’s in Liverpool’s best interest to progress in this competition, well, unless they want to end their 2009-10 season on a very low note. Likewise, the same can be said for Lille, Standard Liege, and Atlético Madrid. On the contrary however, teams like Panathinaikos, Benfica and Olympique de Marseille do have a shot at something other than the Europa League; Panathinaikos for example do have a realistic chance of winning the Super League this season consequently putting an end to Olympiacos’ champion regime.

Introductions aside a game that has particularly caught my attention, much like a diamond in the rough, is the Panathinaikos vs. Standard Leige showdown. Being half Greek I naturally must show national pride by supporting fellow countrymen in their goings-on, despite the fact that a couple of weeks ago we came very nearly close to destabilizing the European Union. An accomplishment although somewhat disruptive! Nevertheless politics aside this game is to be promising because of the sheer fact that both teams have started off their European campaigns tainted with the unfortunate stigma of being the ‘underdogs’. Both teams, however, have shocked critics and greatly amused fans by proving their strength and perseverance; Panathiniakos to be remembered as the slayers of the Italian giants Roma, and Standard Liege the team who was humiliated in the early rounds of the Champions League but is now taking her sweet revenge on the Europa League.

To be honest, Thursday’s game seems to be more promising for the Prasini then for the Belgians, strictly speaking from the point of statistics. Standard Liege have only won one out of their last ten European away games whilst Panathinaikos have lost only a mere two out of their last eighteen  games and, may I take the liberty in reminding  you that confidence for the Greens is rockets ship high after knocking out Roma in the previous round. To be frank after beating a team like Roma, chances are high that the Greens will be in full form for nothing less than a victory in sight against the Belgians; even though key players like Sotiris Ninis who contributed to the crushing of Roma may not be playing due to injury. However goal scoring machine Djibril Cisse will be playing and if Standard want a shot at victory they must mark him very tightly with hawk like precision. Cisse’s efforts have earned him a lot of publicity back in France and the probability of him gaining a spot on the French’s World Cup team, seeing as fellow striker Louis Saha is injured and may not be fit for the approaching competition, is quite high. Unfortunately the Belgians don’t have much going for them, not even much fan support will make it to the Olympic Stadium in Athens after wide spread strikes in the capital have grounded planes. That being said it is not all grim and dreary news for the Belgians, they too have a sensational player, Axel Witsel who, mind you, is promised to be ‘the greatest hope for Belgian football’.  Witsel’s track record includes scoring two goals against Red Bull Salzburg helping his team progress onto the next stage of the Europa Championship. Personally I’ll be keeping my eye out for this player, could he be the next great thing?

My prediction of tonight’s score is 2-0 to Panathinaikos, however as UEFA football has proved time and time again to never underestimate the importance of the ‘underdog’. Like many others I am eagerly anticipating the start of this match.