Panionios suffer First leg setback

Greek club Panionios suffered a setback in their quest for UEFA Cup Qualification, as the Athenian based side fell 1-0 to Italian club SSC Napoli in the first leg of the 3rd Round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Napoli, who were reduced to 10 men late in the match, held on to a 1-0 lead for much of the game.

Panionios pressured right from the start, and looked favourites to score when Lambros Choutos struck the bar. Chances were limited until the half hour mark; that’s when Napoli took their chances. A run deep into the Panionios penalty box resulted in a cross for Mariano Bogliacino cashed in for the team from Naples. Panionios hit the bar again before the call for half-time, when an effort from Bennard Kumordzi hit the upright.

The second half opened to a Panionios surge that ended with Choutos shot and a stellar save by Napoli keeper, Gennaro Iezzo. Napoli had their chance shortly after; a clever move from the Napoli front line led to a German Gustavo Denis shot and a save from Dario Kresic, in goal for Panionios.

Napoli takes a slim 1-0 lead back to the Stadio Sao Paolo, but the away goal could be crucial if Panionios are unable to score. Panionios will look to Georgios Barkoglou back in the lineup, after the new signing missed the first leg of the 3rd round tie.