TIGHT AND COMPACT

Last updated : 23 October 2002 By editor

Gary Neville told the M.E.N. that experience is what counts in the Champions League and United are ready to us theirs.

"I don't think there are any more experiences, good or bad, for us to have in the Champions' League,"

"We have been through it all. There isn't a situation we haven't enjoyed or endured. Now we have to learn from it all and use it. We have learned an awful lot over the years and you must draw on that.

"In the last year, we have become an experienced European side. We have become difficult to beat and have defended well. We have been focused and concentrated.

"We relish all the different experiences. We love going to away matches and having to cope with the demands they throw up.

Gary doesn't think they'll just lie down tonight though.

"We didn't see the true side of the Greeks at Old Trafford. We were fantastic in the first half at home and blew them away.

"We won 2-0 in the Olympic Stadium 12 months ago and coped with that atmosphere.

"This will be different again in a ground that holds 15,000. It will be tight and hostile and that will help them. We are in for a tough time.

"But it is not new to us anymore. We've been in compact European stadiums before where the crowd are breathing down your neck.

"We know, for instance, that we cannot afford a slow start in Athens. If opponents get on top of you in that first half hour of away trips, and if they then go a goal up, it is nigh on impossible to beat them from that position.

"We've discovered that in some matches in the past.

"If we want to finish off this group quickly and qualify tomorrow night then we must be ready for it from the word go."