pash

The interwebs are also claiming Narey's transfer might be completed in the next 24 hours, but they've said that multiple times already. I'm guessing the Colak replacement won't be Balde?

We might be adding another friendly, this time vs Panaitolikos at our training facility in Nea Mesimvria. Makes sense, there are still weeks to go...

Varela is signing with - drumroll, please! - Casa Pia AC, who recently won promotion to the Portuguese first division. Interesting that he didn't go back to Romania, as was rumored. https://www.transfermarkt.us/casa-pia-ac/startseite/verein/3268

Two goals scored by Groningen to bring this game to a close

Great pass by Sastre and a beautiful goal by Konstantelias, 0-1

Second half lineup:

First lineup. I guess with Lyratzis being out, Tzimas is "pinch hitting" as RB.

Even when we had wingers last year, we still played Biseswar there. I have a feeling Lucescu sees this as a feature, not a bug. El Kaddouri will be injured any day now so at least that'll open up some space!

Sounds like Lyratzis is not seriously injured, thankfully. Probably will miss the next friendly though

So I was looking at the players that were brought to preseason, and was thinking it's kind of odd that we have so many attacking midfielders. So I put together a quick squad list, operating under the assumption that everyone we signed this year will stay. And by sheer coincidence, I came up with 28 players (Lucescu's magic number). Assuming we make it to the group stage (and the rumors of us increasing the squad size are true), then it seems we truly are nearly fully stacked here. If Balde comes, it'll be because Colak leaves...and of course we're still looking for that starter-caliber winger. Am I missing anyone? Perhaps Panagiotou or Tsaousis make the team as well? 3 GK Z Zivkovic Kotarski Talichmanidis 5 CB Ingason Michailidis Nasberg Kargas Koulierakis 4 FB R Soares Lyratzis Sastre Vieirinha 2 DM Tsiggaras Kurtic 3 CM Augusto Schwab Dantas 6 AM F Soares Biseswar Ricardo El Kaddouri Konstantelias Quagliata 2 W Lamprou A Zivkovic 3 ST Colak Oliveira Koutsias 28 total (9 Greek) Out: Mihaj (rumored sale) Taylor Ninua Murg Jaba B team?: Balomenos (GK), Panagiotou (CB), Tsaousis (LB) Incidentally, transfermarkt updated at some point with Vrakas returning from loan and going to the B team. I remember Blackhawk wondering what the point of the B team was if we were just going to ship him out - I guess the team agreed after all.

Highlights are up:

I got stuck on a call and looked back just now to see Lyratzis on the sideline with his foot wrapped up? Tell me I'm delirious!

Goal Ricardo

Was that an own goal in our favor?

Oh I believe it haha

Of course the game is paused because someone (probably one of our fans) threw a pink flare onto the field. Our fans are so stupid.

Goal Oliveira, off a very fast counter

My hero!

Very interested in seeing Konstantelias, assuming I can find a stream

First game's starting lineup:

Allegedly Boto and Lucescu have decided to keep Colak. Rangers kept low balling the team. Personally, I am fine with staying with Oliveira and Colak for this season. Gives Koutsias a slightly increased chance at making the leap as well.

We were fined 75k and three games behind closed doors for what went down at the Cup final. Panathinaikos fined about 10k less, two games behind closed doors.

Good vid too. They're killing it with these announcements. I think Kotarski is supposed to be a five year contract btw. They must really like him. -edit- I was wrong, it's a four-year contract

Truth

Biseswar apparently is signing for one more year, with the intention (as quoted by the websites) being to keep him as an off the bench option. I very much doubt that is correct - Lucescu will start him until forced not to.