Villarreal ‘have to seize initiative’

VILLARREAL defender Diego Godin accepts the onus will be on his side to make most of the early running against Panathinaikos tonight as they look to seal a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Villarreal travel to Greece knowing it is Panathinaikos who hold the upper hand in their last 16 tie after Henk Ten Cate’s side claimed a 1-1 draw at El Madrigal in the first leg.

“It’s clear that it’s us who have to take the initiative and go for the game right from the first moment,” said the Uruguayan international centre-back.

They know that with a 0-0 draw they will go through, so it will have to be us who must go looking for the win right from the very first minute. We cannot lose our heads at any moment and must play our own game if we want to get through the tie.”

Panathinaikos reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in seven years after finishing as surprise winners of Group B ahead of Inter Milan, a feat made even more remarkable by the fact they took just one point from their opening three games.

Another impressive fact is they were more successful on the road than in front of their own passionate fans at the OACA Spiros Louis stadium.

“I’m sure it’s going to be a great game. Any player would like to play in an atmosphere such as the one I’m sure we’re going to experience there and I don’t think that it’s going to affect us,” he said.

Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini has named a 21-man squad for the trip, taking every member of his team except for the injured Gonzalo Rodriguez.

Panathinaikos, who have not won a Champions League knockout tie since 1996, warmed up for tonight’s encounter with a 3-0 league triumph over Larissa, Ten Cate‘s men getting back to winning ways after being knocked out of the Greek cup quarter-finals by Panserraikos.

“We gained three points and some confidence,” said Ten Cate.

“The fact we usually play better in the second half is perhaps a sign of our good physical condition.

“I understand the fans’ frustration following our performance in the cup, we are also disappointed, but that’s football,” said the Dutchman, who will be without the suspended Giannis Goumas.