PAOK Salonika vs Villarreal preview - Cani hoping for win

Posted Thursday, November 04, 2010 by ESPN

Villarreal midfielder Cani hopes his side can continue their rich vein of form and take a giant step towards the knockout stages of the Europa League when they face PAOK.

Villarreal make the trip to Greece on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions, leaving them third in the Primera Division standings and two points clear at the top of Europa League Group D.

The Yellow Submarine also have an excellent record against Greek teams down the years, winning four of five meetings and drawing the other, although Cani admits that will count for little tomorrow night.

"Greek teams have been good for us previously, but that's by the by because every game is different. Hopefully we can continue or good form, but it's going to be a difficult game because they have great players and an impressive atmosphere in their favour,'' he said.

"If we win we will take a giant step towards qualification.''

Cani's team-mate Borja Valero is also anticipating a hostile atmosphere at the Toumbas Stadium in Thessaloniki.

"Whenever you play against Greek teams the atmosphere is very tough, but we must not get distracted and play our game. No matter how much they (the home fans) scream and shout, if we play how we know we can we have a good chance of winning,'' said the summer signing from Real Mallorca.

"It's important we play our football, we are creating a lot of chances and if we continue like that then we'll be fine.''

Villarreal coach Juan Carlos Garrido is without Marcos Senna and Marco Ruben, who are both still recovering from injuries.

PAOK were top of Group D prior to the last round of matches, but their 1-0 defeat to Villarreal at El Madrigal - Ruben netting the winning goal in the first half - dropped them down to second spot, level on four points with Dinamo Zagreb.

That match was PAOK's first after the departure of coach Pavlos Dermitzakis, with his former assistant Makis Havos taking over the reins of the senior squad.

Since that loss in Spain, PAOK have reeled off three successive league and cup wins domestically, and their last-gasp 2-1 victory over Ergotelis at the weekend lifted them up to ninth in the 16-team Greek Super League.

Havos will be without defender Miroslaw Sznaucner due to suspension for the game.