Panathinaikos on back foot ahead of Lazio trip
Monday, October 29, 2012
Article summary
A recent record of six unanswered goals in their last two UEFA Europa League away games does not bode well for Panathinaikos FC as they prepare to travel to Group J leaders S.S. Lazio.
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After securing a late point against S.S. Lazio last time out, Panathinaikos FC go to Rome needing to improve their recent UEFA Europa League away form having conceded six unanswered goals on their last two trips in the competition.
• Lazio looked set to pick up all three points in Athens on matchday three thanks to a Giourkas Seitaridis own goal, but Panathinaikos earned a draw thanks to Toché's 91st-minute strike.
• The Biancocelesti are nevertheless top of UEFA Europa League Group J on five points, with Panathinaikos bottom of the section.
Previous meetings
• The sides met for the first time in UEFA competition on matchday three.
• Panathinaikos's 21 games against Italian sides have ended W6 D6 L9 (W4 D4 L3 at home – W2 D2 L6 in Italy). Prior to matchday three, they were on a three-game winning streak against Serie A clubs, most recently 3-2 home and away wins against Lazio's neighbours AS Roma in the 2009/10 UEFA Cup round of 32.
• Lazio's eight meetings with Greek clubs have ended W3 D3 L2 (W2 D0 L1 at home – W1 D3 L1 in Greece).
Match background
• Panathinaikos have lost 3-0 in their last two UEFA Europa League away games, against NK Maribor this term and at Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in last season's play-offs.
• Lazio have recorded three wins and two draws in Europe this season, conceding just twice in the process. They have won five of their last seven continental fixtures on home soil.
Team facts
• Lazio goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri turns 35 the day after the game.
• Panathinaikos defender Jean-Alain Boumsong and Lazio midfielder Ederson were team-mates at Olympique Lyonnais (2008–10).
• Lazio defender Lionel Scaloni and Panathinaikos midfielder Vitolo played together at Real Racing Club in 2006/07.
• Lazio's coach since June has been Vladimir Petković, who won a Yugoslavian title as a midfielder with hometown club FK Sarajevo in 1984/85. He then moved to Switzerland, where he played at a modest level and coached AC Bellinzona, BSC Young Boys and FC Sion, as well as moving to Turkey to take charge of Samsunspor.
• Panathinaikos's coach is Jesualdo Ferreira. Once coach of Portugal's Under-21 side and assistant boss of the senior national team, the Portuguese was in charge of SL Benfica and SC Braga. He moved onto Porto, becoming the first coach to win three successive Liga titles. He took command at Panathinaikos in October 2010.
