Panathinaikos vs Manchester United
Who won: Man United 1-0
Manchester United beat Panathinaikos 1-0 on Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. Goals for Man United: Diego Forlán (85').
Play by play
- 90'
A poor game by United's standards saw them make heavy work of a spirited but ultimately poor Panathinaikos side. Ferguson gave some of the youngsters a run to save the big guns for Chelsea in the league this weekend and the game was disjointed. The final ball let down both sides and for the neutral spectator this was a non-event. However, it's job done for United and unfortunately for the Greeks, it's better luck next year.
- 90'
A short corner for United is the final action of the match and they take the win that gaurantees qualification for the next round
- 90'
Over eagerness on the part of Epalle on the edge of the United box sees him take out Silvestre. The United man though is not badly hurt and can resume
- 89'
Ronaldo is back helping out his defenders as the clock ticks down
- 87'
The Greeks are now chasing the game but as with previous attacks, their final ball lets them down and United don't look troubled
- 87'
Bellion again looks lively in an attacking position as Ronaldo gets a ball out to him via Forlan. But the substitute is marginally off-side and is denied a shooting chance
- 83'
Bellion picks up the ball in midfield and surges forward worrying all those around him in green shirts. A fantastically angled pass puts Forlan a yard clear of the defence. His shot is not a great one but it is on target and Nikopolidis can't handle it and it squirms under him and into the net. 1-0 Man Utd and at last something of note has happened in this stupifyingly dull game!
- 82'
The game has produced little in the way of excitement and already looks to be winding down for the end
- 81'
Miltadis Sapanis comes on to replace Papadopoulos
- 80'
Ronaldo comes in field for a change and dinks a little chipped pass to Giggs that is actually helped into his path by a defenders head. Giggs hits the by-line and sends a low cross firmly across the box but noone is coming in to attack it and the goalkeeper collects acrobatically
- 77'
Bellion looks to make an impact using his speed to evade several players before he goes to fast for himself and the ball runs away from his feet just as he bore down on goal, admittedly with a couple of defenders around him
- 77'
Manchester United are getting more opportunities now that they are playing with two up front rather than one with Giggs just off. This time it is Kleberson's chance to waste a half-chance by pulling a snap shot wide
- 74'
Ball breaks across the Panathinaikos area for Forlan who has a clear strike on goal but, despite getting plenty on it, drags it well wide in the end. Should have made the keeper work at least from all of 10 yards
- 72'
David Bellion comes on for Fletcher for Man Utd. For Panathinaikos, Vlaovic replaces Seitaridis
- 71'
The ball has been kicked out of play so that Diego Forlan can recieve treatment for a twisted ankle he picked up without any other player being involved
- 69'
Panathinaikos are coming out of their first-half shell but, despite posession in the midfield they are not getting close enough to suggest they carry much of a goal threat
- 67'
Ronaldo squeezes a near post cross into Ryan Giggs who needed a delicate touch to direct it in goalwards but he connects to firmly and it goes wide
- 64'
The Greeks are looking to force a way through particularly through the lively Maric. He tries a clever one-two with Papadopoulos on the edge of the box but it breaks instead for Munch wide out on the left. Cracks it with his left foot and it's not far wide though Howard would have been favourite had it been on target
- 63'
The tempo has picked up ever so slightly in the last few minutes and the game is begining to be stretched more
- 62'
Panathinaikos free-kick into the box is cleared to Ronaldo who helps the ball to Giggs via Kleberson. Giggs holds the ball up until Forlan overlaps on the left in the box and in space. The pass is perfection but Forlan drags the ball inches wide of the far post with the keeper beaten. Should have scored
- 60'
A surging, determined run through the centre from Maric gets the ball out wide to Much to cross but he over hits it
- 58'
Manchester United free-kick from a very long way out. Ronaldo rolls it for Kleberson to drive along the deck from around 35 yards. The Keeper gets low early and hangs on to the shot
- 55'
Substitute Epalle is looking the most likely to score for Panathinaikos and he gets a half-volley away from the right hand corner of United's box. Howard is more than equal to it though
- 53'
United now enjoying the Lion's share of the posession but are not able to carve anything out
- 51'
A whipped ball in from the Panathinaikos right is missed or left by both Fortune and Ferdinand and when it is finally played, by O'Shea, it is to an attacking player. Ferdinand recovers to put a strong leg in before the shot can be fired
