Gilberto Silva sets sights on new goal

Panathinaikos FC midfield player Gilberto Silva insisted he would "keep believing" in European success this season with the Greek side headed for Friday's UEFA Europa League draw following defeat by Club Atlético de Madrid in their UEFA Champions League play-off.

Attacking force
A Loukas Vintra own goal after just four minutes of Tuesday's second leg left Henk ten Cate's side with a mountain to climb before Sergio Agüero's late second sealed a 5-2 aggregate win for Los Colchoneros. With Panathinaikos's hopes of reaching the tournament’s group stage over, Gilberto Silva told uefa.com he and his team-mates had to improve ahead of their UEFA Europa League challenge. "We must be aware as a team – not just in defence – and not allow our opponents the types of opportunities which kill us at this level," he said. "Over two games it seemed as if Atlético had five chances and they scored five goals. That was the difference, their quality up front."

Early blow
Going a goal behind in both legs was, according to Gilberto Silva, the crucial factor in the Athens-based team's elimination at the hands of well-organised opponents. "We took too long to get going in both games," the 32-year-old explained. "We conceded first in both matches and that shook us. Our manager told us to come here and play our game and we knew we had to win at least 2-0 to go through. Yet before the fifth minute we had already conceded and the team was nervous after that. When it takes so long to get into the game you begin to realise your chance is slipping away."

Hard work ahead
Panathinaikos, who made a solid start to their domestic league campaign with a 3-0 victory at Ergotelis FC on Saturday, must now lift themselves for a fresh challenge in the UEFA Europa League. "We must try to do a lot better in the Europa League compared to what we did in these play-off games against Atlético," the former Brazil international conceded. "We're going to work hard in order to do the best we can in that competition while in terms of the Greek league the only thing we have in mind is to win; there is no other way to think."