Haas set to face Pana
Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 by PA
Mario Haas is expected to return for action with Sturm Graz just in time to face his favourite opposition - Panathinaikos.
The 35-year-old has been out of action since August with a calf problem but is in line to feature in Thursday's Europa League clash.
That could be bad news for Pana, as the veteran striker scored in both games when Sturm did a Champions League double over the Athens giants in 2000 and 2001. He also scored for Austria against Greece in 2003.
"I just like playing the Greeks," he said on www.uefa.com.
His side certainly need him to extend his record, as they have lost one and drawn one in the group stages so far.
They start as underdogs away from home, but Haas is in confident mood.
"We can match them," he said. "No team are out of our reach. We respect them, but we're not afraid.
"If we focus and dare to attack more than in Istanbul (against Galatasaray), anything is possible.
"If we want to qualify for the next round, we have to get at least a point from the game."
Pana's home record suggests they have every chance, as they have won one and lost three of their last four European ties in Athens.
Their domestic home form has been less than solid too and they needed to come back from 2-0 down to take a point from Kavala at the weekend.
Sturm, in contrast, arrive unbeaten in 10 European games away from home.
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