One of the more intriguing ties of the first leg, this could be one of the most cagey of the second - but also one of the most exciting...
The Best Offence
Panathinaikos' fans will hold nothing back as 70,000 of them cram into the Spiros Louis stadium for this key European clash, but they may find their heroes on the pitch being a good bit more reserved.
Henk ten Cate's men carry a one goal advantage from the first leg, in which they played a disciplined, defensive game in the altogether more intimate atmosphere of the Madrigal.
That pressure-cooker of a ground didn't faze them too much as the Greens took a fizzer of a lead through Giorgios Karagounis' superb long-range strike, but an equaliser later in proceedings has made the task at home all the harder.
However, all indications are that Panathinaikos will use their trademark strength and determination to attempt to secure passage to the final eight for the first time since 2002.
Lucky Look
Villarreal, meanwhile, haven't been in the best run of form recently. The Yellow Submarine are still flying high in La Primera, but with the weekend win over Espanyol being both narrow and fortunate, questions are being asked of this side.
Indeed, were it not for the form of goalkeeper Diego Lopez, not to mention some awful finishing from the Perequitos, Villarreal would almost certainly have suffered defeat, or at least a draw, against one of the Liga's weakest sides.
So, the clean sheet in that 1-0 win will not be treated as fully secure by coach Manuel Pellegrini, who must realise that his troops need to improve significantly if they are to find their way through.
However, there is a snag: they are obliged to score at least once, necessitating some balance in midfield. As such the wide players are likely to be of a creative bent, and with Giuseppe Rossi playing up front there is always the chance that a moment of genius could see Pana punished.
FORM GUIDE
Panathinaikos
07 Mar 09 - Larissa (H) WON 3-0 (League)
04 Mar 09 - Panserraikos (H) LOST 3-2 (Cup)
01 Mar 09 - Olympiakos (A) DREW 0-0 (League)
25 Feb 09 - Panathinaikos (H) DREW 1-1 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Panionios (A) WON 2-1 (League)
Villarreal
07 Mar 09 - Espanyol (H) WON 1-0 (Liga)
01 Mar 09 - Betis (A) DREW 2-2 (Liga)
25 Feb 09 - Panathinaikos (H) DREW 1-1 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Sporting (A) WON 2-1 (Liga)
15 Feb 09 - Racing (A) DREW 1-1 (Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Panathinaikos
Ioannis Goumas is suspended for the Spaniards' visit, while Sotiris Leontiou remains out due to injury. Sotiris Ninis and Silva Cleyton have been omitted from the squad list, as in the first leg. Junior Simao, Gilberto Silva, and Nikolaos Spiropoulos are one booking away from suspension. Henk ten Cate is liable to go with a defensive formation, probably of the 4-5-1 nature with Silva, Mattos, and of course Karagounis in the middle.
Probable Starting XI: Galinovic; Nilsson, Sarriegi, Vyntra, Wawrzyniach; Simao, Gilberto Silva, Mattos, Karagaounis, Salpingidis; Mantzios.
Villarreal
Coach Manuel Pellegrini called up 21 players for the journey, the only regular absentee being Gonzalo, who is sidelined through injury. A 4-4-2 setup seems likely for this side, or Giuseppe Rossi could start alone up front in order to allow a more 4-1-4-1 style. Nobody is suspended for the Yellow Submarine, with Joan Capdevila and Guille Franco returning from their respective sanctions. Franco, along with Ariel Ibagaza, Angel Lopez, and Marcos Senna, will miss the next game if booked.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Lopez; Angel/Javi Venta, Fuentes, Godin, Capdevila; Cazorla, Senna, Eguren, Ibagaza/Pires; Rossi, Nihat.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Panathinaikos - Giorgos Karagounis: If Pana look to build off a strong defence, they will look largely to the defensive midfield for aid. Enter Giorgos Karagounis, one of the stars of the ultra-disciplined Greek side that won the European Championship back in 2004. Now he's back at the club where he began his career and is a key component in the side. Famed for his strength, Karagounis can also spring the killer pass when needed, and even chip in with goals and set-pieces.
Villarreal - Marcos Senna: The Brazilian-born Spanish international was one of those who inherited Karagounis' European crown after storming to victory at Euro 2008, but it is on the club stage that he has truly made his name. Senna is - when on form - imperious in the pass and the shot, but can also position himself well defensively. Having joined Villarreal in 2002 from Sao Caetano in his native land, Senna has played in the final four of the Champions League before. He serves as the club's captain.
PREDICTION
This cagey match will be decided in the details, and Pana will grab a late, late goal to see them clear into the final eight. Villarreal, then, will pay the price for a bit of tiredness, but will go down fighting nonetheless.
Panathinaikos 1-0 Villarreal
Preview: Panathinaikos - Villarreal
One of the more intriguing ties of the first leg, this could be one of the most cagey of the second - but also one of the most exciting...
The Best Offence
Panathinaikos' fans will hold nothing back as 70,000 of them cram into the Spiros Louis stadium for this key European clash, but they may find their heroes on the pitch being a good bit more reserved.
Henk ten Cate's men carry a one goal advantage from the first leg, in which they played a disciplined, defensive game in the altogether more intimate atmosphere of the Madrigal.
That pressure-cooker of a ground didn't faze them too much as the Greens took a fizzer of a lead through Giorgios Karagounis' superb long-range strike, but an equaliser later in proceedings has made the task at home all the harder.
However, all indications are that Panathinaikos will use their trademark strength and determination to attempt to secure passage to the final eight for the first time since 2002.
Lucky Look
Villarreal, meanwhile, haven't been in the best run of form recently. The Yellow Submarine are still flying high in La Primera, but with the weekend win over Espanyol being both narrow and fortunate, questions are being asked of this side.
Indeed, were it not for the form of goalkeeper Diego Lopez, not to mention some awful finishing from the Perequitos, Villarreal would almost certainly have suffered defeat, or at least a draw, against one of the Liga's weakest sides.
So, the clean sheet in that 1-0 win will not be treated as fully secure by coach Manuel Pellegrini, who must realise that his troops need to improve significantly if they are to find their way through.
However, there is a snag: they are obliged to score at least once, necessitating some balance in midfield. As such the wide players are likely to be of a creative bent, and with Giuseppe Rossi playing up front there is always the chance that a moment of genius could see Pana punished.
FORM GUIDE
Panathinaikos
07 Mar 09 - Larissa (H) WON 3-0 (League)
04 Mar 09 - Panserraikos (H) LOST 3-2 (Cup)
01 Mar 09 - Olympiakos (A) DREW 0-0 (League)
25 Feb 09 - Panathinaikos (H) DREW 1-1 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Panionios (A) WON 2-1 (League)
Villarreal
07 Mar 09 - Espanyol (H) WON 1-0 (Liga)
01 Mar 09 - Betis (A) DREW 2-2 (Liga)
25 Feb 09 - Panathinaikos (H) DREW 1-1 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Sporting (A) WON 2-1 (Liga)
15 Feb 09 - Racing (A) DREW 1-1 (Liga)
TEAM NEWS
Panathinaikos
Ioannis Goumas is suspended for the Spaniards' visit, while Sotiris Leontiou remains out due to injury. Sotiris Ninis and Silva Cleyton have been omitted from the squad list, as in the first leg. Junior Simao, Gilberto Silva, and Nikolaos Spiropoulos are one booking away from suspension. Henk ten Cate is liable to go with a defensive formation, probably of the 4-5-1 nature with Silva, Mattos, and of course Karagounis in the middle.
Probable Starting XI: Galinovic; Nilsson, Sarriegi, Vyntra, Wawrzyniach; Simao, Gilberto Silva, Mattos, Karagaounis, Salpingidis; Mantzios.
Villarreal
Coach Manuel Pellegrini called up 21 players for the journey, the only regular absentee being Gonzalo, who is sidelined through injury. A 4-4-2 setup seems likely for this side, or Giuseppe Rossi could start alone up front in order to allow a more 4-1-4-1 style. Nobody is suspended for the Yellow Submarine, with Joan Capdevila and Guille Franco returning from their respective sanctions. Franco, along with Ariel Ibagaza, Angel Lopez, and Marcos Senna, will miss the next game if booked.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Lopez; Angel/Javi Venta, Fuentes, Godin, Capdevila; Cazorla, Senna, Eguren, Ibagaza/Pires; Rossi, Nihat.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Panathinaikos - Giorgos Karagounis: If Pana look to build off a strong defence, they will look largely to the defensive midfield for aid. Enter Giorgos Karagounis, one of the stars of the ultra-disciplined Greek side that won the European Championship back in 2004. Now he's back at the club where he began his career and is a key component in the side. Famed for his strength, Karagounis can also spring the killer pass when needed, and even chip in with goals and set-pieces.
Villarreal - Marcos Senna: The Brazilian-born Spanish international was one of those who inherited Karagounis' European crown after storming to victory at Euro 2008, but it is on the club stage that he has truly made his name. Senna is - when on form - imperious in the pass and the shot, but can also position himself well defensively. Having joined Villarreal in 2002 from Sao Caetano in his native land, Senna has played in the final four of the Champions League before. He serves as the club's captain.
PREDICTION
This cagey match will be decided in the details, and Pana will grab a late, late goal to see them clear into the final eight. Villarreal, then, will pay the price for a bit of tiredness, but will go down fighting nonetheless.
Panathinaikos 1-0 Villarreal
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