Brklyngrk

A real Greek tragedy of a half for the home side in Athens as they trail 2-0 to Armenia. Two well-taken goals have put the visitors in the ascendancy. Both probably could have been cut out, but Greece have been undone twice on the break. They've had their own chances, but apart from one superb save to deny Fortounis, Airapetyan hasn't really been called into work. The home supporters make their feelings clear as they boo the home team off - the five changes from Saturday's loss to Italy have really had no impact... From uefa.com

2-0 Armenia

They have gotten a few chances since then but making too many mistakes

We had a chance to score and once again, goes the other way..

Why is Manolas not playing?

Should have made it to the U20 tourney going on...

All the Italian sites were saying that this was the best half they played in years. Truth of the matter was, the first 20 minutes or so, they couldn't penetrate and were trying long balls in. The 1st goal was set up bc Samaris missed his marker, the next two were counters were speed matters. We are too slow and cannot afford to give away these goals. But like you guys said, getting a result, regardless of the score, was going to be tough. So 1-0 or 3-0, same result.

To be fair - both Turkey and Italy have good teams. Turkey just beat France 2-0 and could have scored more. The biggest problem I have is we have yet to settle in. We usually implode after the first goal and let in another one or two in succession. After that, there is no coming back.

Apparently another bad result and the coach is fired. He did say that Toro will be selected when healthy. Many of us here had been wishing for a back 3 of Siovas, Manolas, Papa but it didn't work out. The reason at the end he didn't put on any offensive players was because he was trying to limit the damage, to keep the score only at 3-0. The team had no confidence. When you think about it, the Belgium team we played two years ago was better than this Italian version but we just haven't found the right formula under this coach. Another thing was that we were missing a legit scoring threat from us, we had no one that scared them. Say what you want about Donis skill, he is fast and always a threat to break away. We didn't have anyone like that.

The first 20 minutes, the defense was great. I was wondering why Italy kept playing long balls in, they couldn't penetrate. After that goal, they folded. Gave up the goal on the counter and it was over. The missed penalty goal didn't help and then it was 3-0. Could have been 5-0. Either way, we didn't look good. I believe we need to establish a formation and get everyone used to. We are not at the class of Italy but come on.

The U21 qualifiers are starting now but these games are more important. If you are going to pull someone up, you better be using them or you just hurting both teams.

Anastasiadis came out and said he has had no real game time since he was injured, not fit enough to play

They played a friendly against Italy a few years back and I believe the attendance was really poor...

I saw that espn 3 has it as well...

He did hit him with his spikes - if he would have given him a yellow, I would have been ok with that. I don't think anyone thinks it was intentional, 1 game suspension for the red card seems right.

To be fair, that stomp didn't look intentional.....

If anything, our B/C team is the team that is trying to break into the A team. Outside of a few spots, the rest are open for competition. The difference in quality isn't that great. I think GK - Vlaho has it locked ( Paschalakis isn't that far behind) CBs - Biggest gap here, after Sokratis/Manolas/Siovas - The other options are good but nowhere near their level. Retsos/Papadopoulos/Mavropanos - have potential but the other two especially, are already considered good for the internation level. LB - Staf/Koutris/Lyko/Tsimakis? Staf is my pick but Koutris showed he can play. Holebas would beat them all but that ship has sailed.. RB - Open - no one here has stuck out.... Def Mids - Zeca/Kourbelis/Samaris - you can pick any two of the three and I would be ok. It would be a great time to try out tachs to play along side of them (but he wasn't called up) wings - Donis/Masouras - we need more here attacking mid - Fortounis - after him, Pelkas but Fortounis is a class above CF - Mitroglou is starting but it's a great chance for Koulouris and Durmushaj Would love for him to call up the Dutch contingent/Bouzoukis to camp, to incorporate their speed...Either way, plenty of opportunities available...

Still early but I do like what I see so far. The team played well and we could have definitely won the second game. He realized that the formation in the Bosnia game wasn't working, so he adjusted. If he hadn't, could have easily been the same result as the first leg of the Croatia game. I also like the press conference, he exudes confidence in his team. None of this, we have no stars.

The games are not confirmed yet. I believe the only one that has been is the Turkey game but those are the plans. The thought process though is necessary and we haven't had this type or preparation for qualifiers in a very long time, if ever.

Two friendlies for the camp, final test against turkey before the qualifiers...

A win by Greece and a Belgium tie/win should make us go through..

He didn't want fans but uefa is pressuring them to include fans. They want us to be able to show that we can have a cup with fans AND have no instances.

Yea - I think he's doing it more to get people in, give them a go in practice. I like that he's taking these two games very seriously.

The header he hit was a great shot, with power and directed it in. Anyway, not saying he's the answer but I am saying that he should be in the coach's radar.

I also like the fact that it seems that both teams are starting to respect one another more. Non of the BS that happened the last time out, saw a few pics of the guys taking selfies together. This group will be competitive, the race for the top two spots may go to the last game.