Panathinaikos
After the disappointment of losing 2-0 to Spain, you might have thought that the Panathinaikos players and staff took their destiny to play in the Europa League next season, but it did not. The team made it clear that they felt that they had enough ball to Malaga, to turn the game around, even if it takes a lot of effort to do it.
Panathinaikos won its first game in the Greek Super League at the weekend, as they bid to reach a 7-point gap between themselves and Olympiakos last season. They were impressive 13-0-2 record at home in the regular season, then went 2-1-0 here in the Champions League play-off series, which took place between the 2nd and 5th place in Greece to qualify for a part in the competition this season on the selection stage.
The team then went out and beat Motherwell 5-0 in the final round of qualifying in the Champions League, winning the home game 3-0. However, Panathinaikos lost four of their previous five home games in the competition, including the loss of 3.4 OB in qualifying last season.
Malaga
This time last year, there were a lot of positive emotions in Malaga, as a new investor began pumping money into the club, which was used to purchase a number of talented players. They did finish able to at least have a chance to play in the Champions League, but they have been selling some of the players they have bought into the club as the owner decided he did not want to invest so much money.
Strange situation means a place in the group stage of the competition is even more important in Malaga and their financial future as 2-0 home win was very well received. This placed side in the driving seat in the tie and a goal on the road in Athens, of course, to see them achieve profitable next stage. Confidence should not be a problem for the party that picked up four points from their first two games this season as well as winning the first leg of this tie.
This is the first time since the 2002-03 season that Malaga competed in European competition, and only the second season of all, that they have such a luxury. In the 2003 season, Malaga actually reached the UEFA Cup final, and he took a penalty before the end of their interests.
Head to head
This is the first European connections between the two clubs, so this is the first time they meet in Athens.
Forecast
I do not know how this game will evolve in terms of the winner on the night, but I think Malaga will surrender now to drop out of the Champions League before the group stage of the competition.
I'm not sure which side will win on Tuesday, I like to look at 2.14 it is suggested that there are at least 3 goals in the match.
Panathinaikos made it clear that they are going to come out and attack in the game, and the Spanish team will probably not sit back and watch, to soak up the pressure, trying to get on the scoreboard itself so it can be quite an open game.
The Greek side can not afford to "feel" their way into the game as the two goals deficit looks big mountain to climb, but they must be careful that the back door is kept closed. However, an early goal for both sides will just make a game that is much more open, as far as I can see and the number of chances that were created in Spain last week suggests goals may be on the menu in this.
We also saw Panathinaikos lose 3.4 at home to OB Odense in the previous season, which was an open game, as the hosts were in pursuit of the winning goal and the left side of the gaps in Odense to exploit. This game also saw the first goal scored in the first 15 minutes, something like that here saw an exciting game to develop.
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