Ten Cate turns up heat in 'cauldron of passion'

Henk ten Cate believes passion and desire will be the key ingredients required if his Panathinaikos FC side are to see off Villarreal CF and progress to the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.

Quality
The Greek club are many people's favourites following the impressive 1-1 result they gained in the first leg at El Madrigal, but their Dutch coach insists the first knockout round tie is still delicately balanced. "Both teams have quality, and Villarreal have an extremely strong squad," said Ten Cate, who has main striker Vangelis Mantzios available for the first time since the match in Spain after a knee injury. "We have prepared well and we are at home so we have a good chance to qualify. But we will only do it if we are serious in our approach and play with desire and passion."

Cauldron of passion
A sell-out crowd is anticipated at the OACA Spiros Louis Stadium for what is being billed as the Green Machine versus the Yellow Submarine – and the spicy atmosphere will play a major role in Pana's chances according to Ten Cate. "With the cauldron of passion that our fans will create, I believe we will get the result we want," said the trainer, who will replace suspended defender Giannis Goumas with Polish international Jakub Wawrzyniak. "As always they will be our 12th man. With those supporters behind us the team is capable of great things."

Challenge
Panathinaikos are one game away from equalling their longest unbeaten run in the competition after going five matches without defeat, and they are also in good domestic form having overcome Larissa FC 3-0 on Saturday to maintain second spot in the Super League. Ten Cate threw the gauntlet down to opposite number Manuel Pellegrini, saying: "After the first leg the Spanish press wrote that Villarreal had not played better all season. Well, now they have to play even better if they want to beat us. We will play to win as always, but we know a goalless draw will take us through."

'No favourites'
Pellegrini, who welcomes back Joan Capdevila from suspension, sounded an equally confident note, explaining how his side can turn the tie around. "I don't think either team can be considered favourites," he said. "Panathinaikos have the away goal but we will go for the win. If we can control as much possession as we did in the first game, and convert more of the many chances we always create, then we can get the right result."

Winning form
Villarreal consolidated fourth place in the Spanish Liga with a 1-0 win against RCD Espanyol on Saturday and are unbeaten in six outings. Midfielder Ariel Ibagaza caught the eye against Espanyol, but is expected only to make the bench as Robert Pirès was rested with this match in mind. Despite Giorgos Karagounis's influential display in the first leg, Pellegrini said he will not be making special plans to contain the Greece schemer. "We have not singled out any players," he concluded. "Panathinaikos have good players all over the park and we have to account for all of them, not just focus on one particular individual."