Michael Essien absent as Azerbaijani side Qabala eliminate Panathinaikos from Europa League

Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien watched from the stands as Azerbaijani side Qabala kicked out Greek side Panathinaikos from the Uefa Europa League on Thursday night. 

The 32-year-old former AC Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder was ruled out of the game as he is en route to recovery from a groin surgery and watched his side eliminated from the competition.

Essien was hoping the Greens will qualify for the group stages of the competition awaiting his full recovery but they failed to progress as they fell against the Azerbaijan side.

Panathinaikos managed a 0-0 stalemate from the first-leg and looked set to sail through but they allowed the visitors to twice assume command of the game of the game before they equalised at the death.

This means Essien will not play any part in any European competition for the rest of the season.

He is yet to play a competitive game for Panathinaikos since joining them from AC Milan in July.