Panathinaikos v Motherwell: First goal vital as ‘Well hope to progress

Published on 08/08/2012 00:14

MOTHERWELL manager Stuart McCall accepts his side’s Champions League fate rests on scoring the first goal in the second leg of their third-round qualifier against Panathinaikos in Greece this evening.

The Fir Park club’s debut in the competition last week ended in a 2-0 home defeat by a clinical Greek side who are now firm favourites to go through.

Before flying out from Glasgow airport yesterday, McCall said: “We are going to have to defend very well and obviously getting the first goal is going to be key. If we can manage that, who knows, but it’s a big ask.

“We have to make sure we are competitive, put on a good show and learn from the experience. We are not naive. We know we are going to be at our very best, we are going to have to defend well and get that bit of luck.

“If they are at their best it could be a long night for us but we have to be a tight unit first and foremost.”

Motherwell skipper Keith Lasley stressed the importance of positivity in Athens.

“We know we are up against it, there is no doubt about it,” he said. “But I think we have to go with a positive attitude.

“We have a lot of fans travelling over and we want to do them justice and do ourselves justice. I think we did that in the first leg. I think we showed we can create chances at least, and if we score first then let’s see what happens.

“I suppose the pressure is off a little bit. I don’t think anybody expects us to get anything, but that is not the mindset we are going in with.

“I don’t know how they will approach the game. Maybe they think the tie is done and hopefully we can play on that.”

Lasley acknowledged the problems the weather may cause the Scottish side. “I think the heat is going to be a big factor,” conceded the midfielder.

“I don’t think we will be able to go gung-ho for 90 minutes, but if we pick and choose our times to attack we believe we can score a goal at least.

“The Greeks are famous for having a fiery atmosphere and that is something else we are looking forward to.”

McCall will be without the services of winger Chris Humphrey, who was injured at Ross County at the weekend as Motherwell opened their SPL campaign with a 0-0 draw. Midfielder Stuart Carswell has recovered from a knee injury and teenage striker Lee Erwin has been added to the squad.

McCall said: “Chris Humphrey strained his hamstring on Saturday so he is not travelling. We have one or two who we will decide on tonight after training, but other than that we will be okay. We have brought young Lee Irwin along with us as well and Stuart Cromwell, who has recovered from a knee injury.”

PROBABLE TEAMS

Panathinaikos: Karnezis; Vyntra, Boumsong, Velazquez, Spyropoulos, Zeca, Marinos, Vitolo, Sissoko, Touche, Christodoulopoulos.

Motherwell: Randolph; Hateley, Ramsden, Hutchison, Hammell; Daley, Lasley, Law, Murphy; Higdon, Ojamaa.

Referee: Stephan Studer (Switzerland)