Panathinaikos stopped Europe’s player of the year Ronaldhinio from scoring and played to a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in their European Championship League match Tuesday. Barcelona anticipated an easy win against Panathinaikos, but had not taken into account the Greek defense.

Pao’s defender Loukas Vidras stuck to Ronaldhinio preventing the striker from scoring.

“Ronaldhinio in particular had a night of increasing – and rare – frustration,” wrote UEFA sports reporter Paul Saffer.

Pao’s newly signed striker, Evangelos Matzios, played his first Champions League match and alarmed visiting Barcelona and fans when he rose to the occasion and came close to scoring with his sturdy shot in the twentieth minute.

The final score made no difference for either team. Rankings stayed the same for both, and as much frustration as Barcelona might have felt, it is still the favorite to finish first in its four-team group.

” It’s a pity that we weren’t been able to win here,” said Barcelona’s Coach Frank Rijkaard, “but nothing changes. We are still first in our group. Tonight’s match was very complicated for us, both on the pitch and because of the ambience that the fans created.”

Panathinaikos gained a notch of respect in keeping the ball out of its net. ” Our main asset today is that we played as a team, with extreme discipline in our pressing game, and with passion. We need to continue this way,” said Panathinaikos coach Alberto Malesani.

Barcelona hosts Panathanaikos on November 5.