-- Preview: Celta - Panathinaikos --
 

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE (GROUP G)

Panathinaikos travels to Spain to play Celta de Vigo in the second matchday of the Europa League group stage and AGONAsport.com brings you a preview of today’s match. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM (EST). TV Listings for the United States, Canada, Australia, and Greece can be found here. 

Panathinaikos: Panathinaikos will have a difficult task ahead of them tonight as they face Celta de Vigo in their second match of group play. Panathinaikos threw away all three points at home to Ajax in their opening match of Group G, taking an early lead before conceding two goals to fall 1-2. Over the weekend in the SuperLeague, the Prasini had a disappointing showing in Agrinio, drawing Panetolikos 0-0. Against a tough Celta side, a point from tonight’s match will keep Panathinaikos in contention to finish in the top 2 spots of Group G, which lead to the knockout stages.

Starting Line-up: Andrea Stramaccioni faces many problems before tonight’s match in Spain. Leto, Hult, and Mesto were all ruled out due to injury while Wakaso and Ivanov are suspended after receiving red cards against Ajax. Panathinaikos is expected to play in a 4-4-1-1 formation or possibly with 3 centers backs in a 3-4-2-1 formation. In the case of a 4-4-1-1. the starting eleven will include Steele (GK), Coulibaly (RB, replaces Mesto), Moledo (CB), Koutroubis/Samba (CB), Chouchoumis (LB, replaces Mesto), Ledesma (CMF), Zeca (CMF), Ibarbo (RMF), Lud (LMF), Villafanez/M’Boku (CAM), and Berg (CF). If Stramaccioni decides to play with 3 center backs, Samba/Koutroubis will replace either Ibarbo, Lud, or Villafanez/M’Boku.

Celta: Celta Vigo is arguably the strongest team of the group after finishing in 6th place in last year’s Spanish La Liga. They have recently found their form over the last two weeks in league play, recording two consecutive victories with their most recent win this past weekend away to Espanyol 0-2. After 6 matches in league play, they currently sit in 12th place with 7 points. In their opening match of the Europa League group stage, they drew Standard Liege 1-1 in Belgium. Against Panathinaikos, Eduardo Berizzo will bench a few starters as Celta balance League, Cup, and Europa League matches this season. However, their star, Guiessepe Rossi is expected to be in the starting XI.

Image Source: sportfm.gr

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