Panathinaikos ready for 'hard task'

Coaching problems
With the future of coach Zdenek Šcasný shrouded in uncertainty following a string of poor Alpha Ethniki results and their Greek Cup elimination by AEK Athens FC, assistant coach Panagiotis Fylakouris admitted that Panathinaikos had their work cut out against the Spanish high-fliers.

'No weak points'
"Our priority is to avoid conceding goals," Fylakouris said. "Our task is hard. Sevilla are among the Primera División's best teams. They have no weak points, they are a very well-organised group and can turn a match around in five minutes. A minor mistake can become fatal if we do not pay attention."

'Respect but no fear'
That said, Fylakouris added that there was no reason to fear Sevilla. "We are not stressed," he said. "We must respect but not fear our opponents. I am confident we will win. Panathinaikos are Greece's ambassadors in Europe. We must show our personality on the pitch, we must be ready to fight in order to get the positive result which will help us qualify."

'Two-legged tie'
Sevilla coach Joaquín Caparrós was equally expectant ahead of his side's trip, saying: "I expect my players to approach this match with the same attitude and predisposition as they have always shown. This is a two-legged tie and so, although the result is important, the return leg will count as well. Our aim is to put in a good game here, then do exactly the same in the second match. If we want to reach the next stage then that is how we must approach the tie."