Doesn't matter. Kerkyra is awful...and prijovic will be waiting on the bench in case he is actually needed. I just wish lucescu would make these kinds of choices in favor of players like poungouras more often
It's just an excuse to replace the playoffs and extend the season. The only benefit here is that it'll screw over every team, not just those ranked 2-5.
The Italians are saying we're looking at center back Sebastien De Maio:
https://www.transfermarkt.com/sebastien-de-maio/profil/spieler/56830
We played against him last year, when he was wearing Fiorentina's jersey. I wouldn't be surprised if we put out feelers about him earlier, but with Moledo coming this winter I doubt we'll move on this player. They're also saying Sassuolo and a few other teams are linked with him.
In order of who I'd WANT to play:
Lamia
Larissa
Giannina
Panionios
AEK
Olympiakos
I'm mostly just concerned about fatigue; keeping AEK and Oly apart from each other for this round would ensure that they're forced to play more games (which could benefit us in the league). I am confident that we have the depth we need either way, on the other hand.
It also looks like Kace is getting ready to go to Athens on a six month loan, after which point the two teams will evaluate whether or not he'll permanently be a part of that horrible team. No word on Konstantinidis from what I can see.
Somewhat related, I was watching a video of that elephant guy and they said Mistakidis was originally part of this deal. Say it ain't so!
It's absolutely a pit stop on his way to Brazil. He'll come here, play halfassed the two or three times he's asked to, pick up his paycheck, eat some bougatsa, wam bam thank you ma'am.
And in return? Poungouras sits on the bench, gets no game time for another season, then in two years when he's released due to a failure to develop we'll all be wondering what happened.
Moledo is almost certainly not coming to us. Seems he did sign that pre-contract, so PAO only has a loan for the remainder of the season as an option. Savvidi, if you're listening, NO LOAN
Here's the press conference. I post it because around 13 minutes in, Lucescu is asked if any other players (mainly Mak, though I don't think his assistant heard the Q about Mistakidis) can play as center forward. Lucescu is bang-on when he says that *maybe* as a second striker, "but I'm not crazy about the idea." Today's game shows why - most teams we'll come up against will defend with 8 or 9 men; Mak's simply wasted as a center forward.
Mistakidis, on the other hand, might work out a bit better there. But maybe that's just me proppin' up my boy.
This should be an easy win. Five of their players are sitting this game out due to cards. Us having played today instead of Wednesday/Thursday will mean we're all the more rested for this, as well.
Atromitos and AEK have harder games, hopefully there's a draw or two in their futures.