Panathinaikos 0 - Barcelona 0

Panathinaikos: Galinovic; Vintra, Morris, Biscan, Darlas; Nilsson, Flavio Conceicao, Ezequiel González (Papadopoulos 76'), Seric (Wooter 87'); Mantzios, Torghelle (Leontiou 59'). 4-4-2.
Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Belletti, Márquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Deco, Xavi (Iniesta 76'), Van Bommel (Motta 56');Larsson (Messi 67'), Eto'o, Ronaldinho. 4-3-3.

Goals: None.

A goalless draw by Barcelona at Panathinaikos maintained the Catalans' three point lead at the top of group C. It was a dull game though, and chances were few and far between as both defences were in control. Frank Rijkaard had decided to make a couple of changes to his side, leaving out Oleguer and the injured Giuly and bringing in Van Bommel and Larsson, who was given the nod ahead of Messi to replace the young Argentine midfielder.

However only Eto'o and Van Bronckhorst caused any problems for local keeper Galinovic before the break, the former with a shot after picking up a pass from Larsson and the latter with another effort across goal. Víctor Valdés was even less troubled at the other end though, and only a turned down penalty claim by Mantzios gave the local fans anything to shout about.

Barça had the better of the opening minutes in the second half, a deflected shot from Eto'o forcing a reaction save out of Galinovic and Van Bronckhorst again going close a couple of times. Valdés was in action to keep out Vintra on a breakaway, but little else.

Rijkaard eventually turned to Messi, and soon after coming on he sent away Eto'o who rounded the keeper only to see his shot deflected away from goal by Biscan. And Eto'o got through again near the end but couldn't get past the keeper. Not one of their better performances, but Barça at least came away with the point they wanted to take them closer to a place in the second round.