CISSE!!!GOALS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYoSaBksqJA
http://www.greeksoccer.com/news/news.ph ... om=&ucat=2&Djibril Cisse scored a dramatic goal at the death to lift Panathinaikos over AS Roma, 3-2, Thursday evening at the OAKA Spiros Louis.
The Greens twice fell behind in the proceedings, courtesy of strikes from Mirko Vucinic and David Pizarro, but clawed back through Dimitris Salpingidis and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos before Cisse snatched the last-gasp winner.
It was always going to be a difficult task for Nikos Nioplias' men, who started the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 32 encounter brightly. On just two minutes the ball fell fortuitously to Kostas Katsouranis, whose stinging strike deflected off a defender and then Julio Sergio's foot, before trickling inches wide of the upright.
The visitors composed themselves soon thereafter, producing solid possession football in the middle and final thirds. Daniele De Rossi and Pizarro pulled the strings as deep-lying midfielders, while John Arne Riise forayed down the left.
In fact, it was the Norwegian who had his side's first gilt-edged chance, springing into the area to take a cross off his chest and slam a powerful volley against the post.
It was a signal of Roma's quality in attacking areas - a quality that Pana failed to replicate early on. The Greens moved the ball well through midfield, yet struggled to break down the opposition defense, resorting to long-range attempts. Sotiris Ninis tried his luck just before the half-hour mark, but Julio Sergio was equal to the task, diving superbly to tip the ball out for a corner.
If it was not already, the visitors' incisiveness was conspicuous on 29 minutes as they seized the advantage. A sweeping move ended with Vucinic receiving the ball along the edge of the area and curling a shot into the top corner of the net that gave Alexandros Tzorvas little chance.
Having secured at least one away goal, the Giallorossi became increasingly content to sit back, keep possession, and look to exploit space on the counter. Pana started to increase the pressure as a result, and Cisse should have brought his side on level terms on the stroke of halftime. Sebastian Leto picked out his teammate after a determined run down the left that began in his own half, but Cisse spurned the chance as he failed to steer his header on target from a promising position.
The second half started in much the same fashion as the first half ended, with Pana desperately looking for a way back into the affair. Nioplias eventually turned to his bench for inspiration, introducing Salpingidis on 64 minutes. Three minutes later, the striker had equalized, reacting to Simao's flick-on to prod the ball in from close range.
Pana's celebrations would not last long, however, as Roma recaptured their lead on 81 minutes. Nikos Spyropoulos tripped Alessio Cerci in the area and referee Damir Skomina did not hesitate to point to the spot. Pizarro stepped up confidently and converted the ensuing penalty, sending Tzorvas the wrong way.
Nioplias was again prompted into action, bringing on Christodoulopoulos for Ninis. And, almost instantaneously, the substitute restored parity, finding the net with an audacious turning volley from an acute angle.
Their sense of purpose restored, the Greens pushed further forward in search of a late winner, which Cisse was happy to provide on 89 minutes. The Frenchman made amends for his earlier miss, leaping to meet Salpingidis' cross and powering his header past a hapless Doni.
Panathinaikos (Nikos Nioplias) - Tzorvas, Vyntra, Sarriegi, Kante, Spyropoulos, Simao, Katsouranis (Salpingidis 64'), Karagounis (C), Ninis (Christodoulopoulos 84'), Leto (Marinos 85'), Cisse
Roma (Claudio Ranieri) - Julio Sergio (Doni 40'), Motta, Juan, Burdisso, Riise, Pizarro, De Rossi (C), Taddei (Cerci 75'), Brighi, Baptista, Vucinic (Menez 70')
Goals - Vucinic (29'), Salpingidis (67'), Pizarro (81') (pen), Christodoulopoulos (84'), Cisse (89')
Bookings - Pizarro (25'), Taddei (30'), Simao (60'), Salpingidis (80'), Cerci (90'), Tzorvas (90+')
Referee - Damir Skomina (SVN)
Assistant Referees - Primoz Arhar (SVN), Marko Stancin (SVN)
Additional Assistant Referees - Slavko Vincic (SVN), Roberto Ponis (SVN)
Fourth Official - Peter Sart (SVN)
Venue - OAKA Spiros Louis, Athens, Greece
