Panathinaikos 1-1 Rangers UEFA Cup 21/02/08

[DavidMc]

V

Panathinaikos v Rangers
UEFA Cup Last 32
Thursday 21st February 08
Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium, Athens

[DavidMc]

Nacho Novo's late strike sent Rangers into the last 16 of the Uefa Cup on away goals after trailing Panathinaikos for the majority of a pulsating tie.
The hosts started strongly and Allan McGregor pulled off several fine saves but couldn't prevent Ioannis Goumas' spectacular 12th-minute volley.

As Panathinaikos continued to dominate McGregor denied Giorgos Karagounis and Loukas Vyntra with acrobatic stops.

But Novo's 81st minute equaliser gave Rangers the priceless away goal.

Rangers manager Walter Smith laid down the gauntlet to Panathinaikos, abandoning his tried and trusted 4-5-1 formation and fielding strikers Kris Boyd and Novo in an attacking starting XI.

The Greeks made two changes to the side which drew 0-0 in the first leg in Glasgow.

Portugese striker Helder Postiga came in for Dame N'Doye while set-piece specialist Aendreas Ivanschitz replaced Simao in midfield.

The match began at a frantic tempo and it was Rangers who registered the first effort on goal.

Boyd took advantage of a slip by Goumas and shot from the edge of the penalty area which flew just wide of the right post.

Panathinaikos responded immediately when Alexandros Tziolis fired a shot from distance over the bar.

The Ibrox side began brightly and continued to threaten the Greeks' rearguard - Boyd just failed to connect with a dangerous right-wing cross from Kirk Broadfoot.

But the visitors were forced to defend when Sasa Papac brought down Karagounis to concede a free-kick in a dangerous right-wing position.

Ivanschitz drew a fine save from Allan McGregor with a stinging shot and Marcelos Mattos' shot was blocked by a sea of bodies.

But Rangers found themselves a goal behind after 12 minutes courtesy of a spectacular effort from the most unlikely of sources, Greece centre-back Goumas.

The veteran defender gathered the ball 30 yards out, held off the challenge of Brahim Hemdani and sent a looping volley beyond the flailing reach of McGregor.

Goumas drew another superb save from McGregor with a fierce volley from the edge of the penalty area 10 minutes later.

And Carlos Cuellar's perfectly timed sliding tackle prevented Postiga from doubling Panathinaikos' lead after 33 minutes.

Rangers weathered the storm and almost grabbed an equaliser three minutes before the break.

Papac's inswinging cross from the left found Novo in space at the back post.

The Spaniard took the awkward high ball on his chest before stepping inside and unleashing a left-foot volley that Mario Galinovic did well to palm over the bar.

The Greeks continued their shoot-on-sight policy as the second-half unfolded and Karagounis brought out the best in McGregor again with a powerful drive.

McGregor kept the tie alive when he turned Ivanschitz's long-range effort round his right-hand post.

Rangers once again survived the onslaught and started to impose themselves on the Greeks but, despite a period of tidy possession play, failed to threaten Galinovic's goal.

With a goal desperately needed, Smith brought on striker Steven Naismith for left-back Papac, while Christian Daily replaced Charlie Adam after 65 minutes.

And with his final change, Smith introduced Chris Burke on 70 minutes for Hemdani.

But the hosts continued to threaten and McGregor was called on again minutes later to tip Vyntra's shot round the left post.

Out of nowhere, Rangers drew level when Naismith's low cross from the right was missed by the Greek defence and the ball rebounded to Novo, who lashed the ball into the corner of the net.

The visitors played out time to claim a first-ever victory for a Scottish club on Greek soil, and, more importantly, take their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Another good result in europe. We managed to get on the ball on the second half and deserved to go through. Our defence was fairly solid again and hopefully we can keep going. The league is the main priority this season but it would be good to do something in europe

[LAF]

Weir was really poor and nearly cost you. Maybe he needs a rest now?

You played much better with two up top, also when you went 4-4-2 Ferguson suddenly controlled the game.

[PAOK_4]

I thought you were very lucky to get the result that you did. Still, it's Panathinaikos' fault for not finishing you when they had the chance.

[DavidMc]

to be honest, Panathinaikos should never have left Glasgow with a draw. Your keeper kept you in the first game. We should have scored at least two at Ibrox.

We deserved to progress.

[PAOK_4]

I am not Panathinaikos, I support PAOK, a rival of Panathinaikos, but in spite of my dislike for their team, I felt that they deserved the win in Athens.

As for the match in Glasgow, their coach should not have played the 3DMs system he chose. I thought both teams had a bad night there, and he should have taken his opportunity to catch you on a bad night and put on his attacking midfielders and played their usual formation.

Anyway, good luck in the next round against Werder and for the rest of the tournament. With a bit of luck you can go all the way.