Yannis Seredis writes about a “snapshot” of four “Europeans”, their transfer needs and a decisive January for all, obviously with different risks for each.
January is here and everyone is waiting for transfer. It seems that they will be more active Olympics And Panathinayakas. Logical for the red and whites, who failed in many moves of the summer, but at the same time they managed to “burn” players like Solbakken, who of course … thrown blood. Five days before the cup match with Olympiakos and nine days before the OPAP Arena it was logical not to take the central defender even though Magnussen was knocked out for four months (you see, it's not just Ivan. It's late …).
The Greens, who successfully acquired Dimitris Limnios at 25, need a key stopper (not at the level Schenkfeld wants to achieve) and a better eight than Vilna-Serin, but it's unclear what the unpredictable Terim will do. : Arau may install a stopper and go for a defensive midfielder, who knows…H AEK He is looking for a full recovery after being relegated to Europe and Panathinaikos with 4/4 defeats in their last games. A long-term perspective.
Big question mark oh PAOK The only thing that hasn't been written about in the last month is City – a mix of Real with a bit of Liverpool and a splash of Girona's Aura Siphon. In my mind PAOK definitely need to get a key defender, right front and back, but obviously he knows better. Always “they”, in groups, know best. But the danger he faces is threefold: a) He doesn't improve because he has now “beaten” players who didn't win in the first half of the first round. Undefeated 2019 because he shoots 4-5 -6ares and upset the world this year c) Lucescu is not only the best coach in Greece, the Balkans and Europe, but maybe even in our galaxy and universe.
“Must” start now for PAOK
A fourth and equally important factor: so far PAOK is not the only “must” for the championship. AEK started as a doubleheader, so the obvious was avoided. The word “Championship” must have been uttered more times than the word “Panathinaikos” from the day Terim arrived in Greece. Olympiacos were under unbearable title pressure even in 1988, when they finished eighth, although they had been champions the previous season. However, PAOK started differently. The bar is very low. He did well! We have seen where he has reached because of the coaching staff and the players, the management of the executives and Savitis, the calmness in the corners.
However, things are changing now. Changed by the team itself, hyped by the media and fans. Now… the great anticipation! He is first, without a doubt, playing better than everyone else, but he has to win in Sunday's “Cleantis Wickelitis” derby. The first since the promotion, the first as everyone says “the best ball-playing team in Greece”. January will also be decisive for PAOK: mainly for whether it will strengthen, not for the results of Ari and Panathinayakas leave Toomba: although they are negative (I don't see…) not enough to knock. Get him out. But as for whether he'll make the same mistake Greens did last winter's transfer window, he needs a classy eight and a winger who can find at least half of Aiter's goals/assists, but in the end they got Kleinheisler and Mancini. …
“Eternity” is in great danger with the changes of coaches
However, January will be very decisive for Olympiakos and Panathinaikos! The situation in these two teams, their results and their (late) transfers could permanently and irrevocably derail them from title contention and irrevocably take them away from the doubleheaders. Especially the very weak Olympiakos takes everything too “seriously”: indescribably celebrates the victories, and sinks even more in the defeats. But if Panathinaikos, who are the biggest question mark with Terim, are knocked out of the cup by (this) Olympiakos, it is highly doubtful that they can withstand the shock and if they get negative results at the OPAP Arena and in Toomba, it is a long way off. top.
If AEK find the spark… a back-to-back double, they are first favourites
As for AEK? To my mind, the main problem Almeida is asking to solve is flame! So far, he has had no desire for a trophy in last year's league matches – apart from the derby. The capsule translates to many things: concentration, passion, intensity, consistency, many things! In my view, AEK showed all of this in their European group matches. Win or lose, the players gave 100%! To each their own 100%, this is not enough for this level. But bad luck in some matches, heavy metal training injuries for the 30-year-old big boys and a lack of quality depth in their defensive line, especially in a very tough Europa League group, was not enough. sent them the lottery.
If the Union finds the flame, it will again be the first option, as it has no European obligations. But it's not easy: 95% of its players lifted both trophies last year. It was logical (also for Almeida), but in the first half of the season it was too expensive to have too much excitement in matches with Ajax, Marseille and Brighton and not in matches with Panzerraikos, OFI and Kifisia. But henceforth their responsibility will be enormous. And proven “have” players and proven “have” coach. Especially in derbies, the championship is also decided – in the play offs. If the Union does not succeed, the responsibility rests entirely with itself.
