Villarreal thwarts Panathinaikos back to reality

By: Peter Katsiris | March 10th, 2009

Panathinaikos have failed to advance to the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals following a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal Tuesday evening at the OAKA Spiros Louis. Vangelis Mantzios’ header 10 minutes into the second half canceled out Ariel Ibagaza’s opener, before substitute Joseba Llorente booked his side’s progression in Europe’s premier club football competition.

The Greeks were in prime position to move on after snatching an away goal when the sides met in the first leg of their First Knockout Round encounter. Yet an organized Villarreal denied Pana the opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in seven years.

Panathinaikos boss Henk ten Cate employed the 4-5-1 formation many pundits were predicting, Vangelis Mantzios – who nearly scored at the El Madrigal – returning from injury to lead the line.

The striker started brightly, dragging the ball away from his marker along the byline but hitting his cross at Diego Lopez inside five minutes.

It was a piece of action indicative of Pana’s style on the night, Mantzios tirelessly providing the hold-up play as the Greens looked to turn defense into attack.

Villarreal by contrast appeared the passing side they often are, Manuel Pellegrini’s men producing slick movement and one-touch football. Their efforts nearly came to fruition on 20 minutes as a sustained piece of possession provided them their first look at goal, but Nihat Kahveci’s long-range effort lacked the power to trouble Mario Galinovic.

Nihat would again try his luck seven minutes later, but his strike proved equally inadequate.

Galinovic’s opposite number was finally called into action on 33 minutes, though Giorgos Karagounis’ curling free kick from distance was routine for Diego Lopez in the end.

However things were less comfortable for the Spaniard four minutes later as Simao’s clever ball over-the-top sprung Mantzios in on goal. The striker shot first time from the edge of the penalty area, but Diego Lopez got down well to his left to deny the 25-year-old.

Everything looked in order for Panathinaikos going into halftime, but it took Villarreal just four minutes into the restart to turn the affair on its head. Joan Capdevila picked out Ariel Ibagaza with a clever cutback, and the Argentine sent a stunning first-time effort from the edge of the area past a despairing Galinovic.

Yet Ibagaza barely had time to celebrate his first ever Champions League goal as his side came under immediate pressure, a series of Pana set pieces culminating in an equalizer on 55 minutes. Karagounis’ corner was met in the air by Mantzios, who turned his thumping header past Diego Lopez.

It was a deserved goal for Mantzios, and one that sent the home supporters into rapture. But the celebrations were short-lived as Villarreal recaptured the lead on 70 minutes. A swift counterattack by the Spaniards ended with Ibagaza turning from recipient to provider. The midfielder picked out Joseba Llorente with a lofted through ball, and the striker made no mistake, settling the ball and slamming past Galinovic.

The writing was on the wall for Pana, though Mantzios would not give up his side’s cause. The striker leapt well to meet Karagounis’ cross on 78 minutes, but glanced his header over the bar.

Giuseppe Rossi could have added the gloss in stoppage time but his shot was cleared by Loukas Vyntra before it could cross the goal line.

It will make little difference to Villarreal, the Spanish outfit having secured their place in the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals nonetheless.

Panathinaikos (Henk Ten Cate) – Galinovic, Nilsson, Vyntra, Sarriegi, Wawrzyniak (Rukavina 86′), Simao, Gilberto, Karagounis (C), Gabriel (Christodoulopoulos 74′), Salpingidis, Mantzios

Villarreal (Manuel Pellegrini) – Diego Lopez, Angel Lopez (Javi Venta 29′), Fuentes, Godin, Capdevila, Senna (C), Eguren, Cazorla, Ibagaza (Bruno 75′), Rossi, Nihat (Llorente 46′)

Goals – Ibagaza (49′), Mantzios (55′), Llorente (70′)

Bookings – Llorente (70′)

Referee – Massimo Busacca (SUI)
Assistant referees – Matthias Arnet (SUI), Francesco Buragina (SUI)
Fourth official – Carlo Bertolini (SUI)

Venue – OAKA Spiros Louis, Athens, Greece