Lens and Panathinaikos meet again

RC Lens will meet Panathinaikos FC again in European competition as the two sides do battle for a place in the UEFA Cup Round of 16.

• Lens qualified for this stage as the third-placed side in UEFA Cup Group D. Panathinaikos finished top of Group G.

• The clubs were drawn together in the 1998/99 UEFA Champions League. Wagneau Eloi's 80th-minute effort gave Lens a 1-0 home win while Leonidas Vokolos's goal was enough for Panathinaikos in the return.

• Lens have never met any other Greek opponents in UEFA competition other than Panathinaikos.

• Including their previous meetings with Lens, Panathinaikos have played nine games against French opposition in UEFA competition – four in the UEFA Champions League, two two-legged UEFA Cup ties and, most recently, a 4-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain FC in this season's group stage.

• In total, Panathinaikos have won four games against French opposition, drawn two and lost three.

• Panathinaikos coach Víctor Muñoz said: "I have watched Lens play this season and they strike me as a very good and competitive side. They are tough opponents for us. However, we have time to prepare, to improve ourselves and qualify for the next stage."

• Muñoz previously led his Villarreal CF side into action against French opposition in the form of ES Troyes AC in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup, drawing 0-0 at home before winning 3-0 in France.

• The former Spain defender also played in two ties against French opposition. He helped UC Sampdoria reach the 1989/90 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final, playing in the first leg of a 4-2 aggregate win against AS Monaco FC. He was an unused substitute in the second leg.

• In the 1983/84 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, Muñoz played in both legs of a shock first-round defeat for FC Barcelona against FC Metz. Barça won the first leg 4-2 in France, only to lose 4-1 at Camp Nou.

• The second leg will be played on 22 February. The aggregate winners will face Bayer 04 Leverkusen or Blackburn Rovers FC in the Round of 16, playing the home leg on 8 March and the away second leg a week later.