The Olympic Stadium in Athens will host the second leg of the Champions League 3rd qualifying round between Motherwell and Panathinaikos. The Steelmen are at long odds to succeed but that won't stop them having a go.
The two goal deficit in the first leg is a crippling burden but the manager and players have to face the game with a positive outlook. The SPL opener in Dingwall did us no favours and our attacking options will be limited following damage to Humphrey’s hamstring. The winger will not appear and the small squad will be stretched to its limit.
For any hope of a shock we will have to score the opening goal. Jamie Murphy is Motherwell’s leading goal scorer in European competitions and he’ll be keen to increase his tally. If we suffer an early reverse then we may play out the rest of the night with half a thought on the game against St Johnstone on Saturday.
Our defenders will have plenty of threats to keep them busy, none more than Sissoko with his pace and trickery. Touche had a quiet game at Fir Park and he’ll want to show more in the second leg.
The evening temperature in Athens dips to the low 90s so the pace of the game will slow. The ‘Well fans in the ground will make themselves heard as they get behind the team but most will expect us to be in the draw for the Eurpoa League on Friday, maybe after another 2-0 defeat.
