paokarag4

Fair to say I won't be buying the DVD of that match, but we take the 3 points and move on to a massive European game midweek.

Michailidis has been very good today IMO

Reminiscent of the 2018 cup final where he anticipated the keeper taking a step and smashed it to the side the keeper was covering.

2-0 Vierinha!!

Twice now Paschalakis has dropped simple enough crosses and completely lost them. Lucky not to concede then, he's gonna cost with these errors.

GOAL! Tzolis! Lovely play from El Kaddouri and Wague

All these changes is giving me vibes of the Volos game earlier in the season. Should still be good enough to get the win

LOL showing my lack of geographic knowledge there for sure! When I visited San Sebastian it did not strike me as a big city but I did spend most of my few days there on the beach ? I had no idea Real Sociedad was from there, I apologize and thank you for correcting me @Dutch Eagle

Hopefully it was a planned sub given it was on the hour mark and it was his first game back after sometime

Back in the XI today for Stuttgart after his latest injury lay-off, currently they trail Bayern 1-2 after leading 1-0 in the first half. Hopefully he gets through this game unscathed and can get a run of matches together heading into the qualifiers in March.

Yep it'll be Crespo at left-back no doubt. This is the type of game Tzolis should start, he'll find plenty of space when we break on the counter. Hopefully Augusto is fit enough to start, our best midfield is him alongside El-Kaddouri and Schwab. If they deem him not fit enough I actually don't mind Esiti starting in this game. PSV will have the majority of the ball which suits a player of Esiti's style.

Below is a link to JVS speaking about Fortounis and explaining how he was able to take advice on board and showed improvement in his problem areas over the last few games. https://www.novasports.gr/podosfairo/super-league-1/article/1843773/fant-sxip-epelexa-na-doso-xrono-ston-fortouni-vid Based on how JVS praised him, I'd say there's a good chance he's a starter come the Qualifiers in March.

I think Perreira will start, hopefully the kid does well! Vierinha off the bench, probably as a full back. Does anyone think he'll be played as a winger?

Disappointing result, we probably played well enough to get the win but I thought we were a little flat at times. I know there are mixed feelings on JVS in general but I think his subs were good in this match, he went all out attack when it was the right time too and threw it all at Slovenia. I believe we will be in the mix to come in the top 2 for World Cup qualification, obviously depending on the draw. Our style of play now will see us dominate all pot 5/6 teams and most pot 4. Pot 1/2 teams will be tricky but we'll get more space in attack and considering how toothless we are in-front of goals, that will be important. Obviously those better teams will challenge us defensively and with our best CB's not in JVS's plans it will be interesting to see how we cope with these better teams. (I am supportive of JVS keeping those guys out since he has deemed them toxic, but of course if all parties could get together and solve their issues it would be fantastic) For those who were asking, this is what I found in terms of seeding for WC qualifiers. Hopefully this ends up being accurate, I think the FIFA rankings will be out in the next few days so we'll know officially then. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada-katar-moyntial-gkroyp-trito-gkroyp-dynamikotitas.9054098.html

It's an interesting point to debate, how to start a game like this. Coming out all guns blazing seems like a good and logical move, put the heat on, get them on the backfoot and don't allow them to settle and as you said set the tempo. Plenty of managers in world football tend to adopt the more conservative and pragmatic strategy of 'You don't win games like this early, you only lose them' meaning if we go out guns blazing and concede one the other way it maybe game over. We are yet to see JVS coach in a do or die match so we don't know how he'll play it. I get the feeling given he's an attacking coach by nature and likes us to boss possession it's more likely to be all guns blazing. Something that works in favour of coming out in full attack mode is the longer games like these stay 0-0 it tends to suit the team playing for the draw, as the team chasing the win gets desperate as they through the kitchen sink at the opposition and leave gaps everywhere. On top of everything riding on this game, the tactical battle will be fascinating.

Ο Ομάρ Ελ Καντουρί δέχτηκε ένα χτύπημα στην ποδοκνημική και η κατάστασή του θ’ αξιολογηθεί τις επόμενες μέρες.................. If I was Garcia I would fine anyone who comes within 3 meters of El Kaddouri at training. Jaba back in full training, while Augousto didn't train with the rest of the squad apparently nothing serious it's just a day to day management issue.

@PaokCT I got it from my co-host?

That only applies Euro qualifying, for World cup qualifying it gives us a chance of making the playoffs through the backdoor. Basically all runners up from the World Cup qualifiers proper will make the playoffs, while the best 2 ranked teams from the Nations League who don't secure direct or playoff qualification through the regular qualifiers will make it to the playoffs. A win against Slovenia guarantees not only promotion to League B but also that we will be the best ranked team in League C. How ever unlikely that we get into the playoffs through the Nations league, the win will ensure we've done all we can to give ourselves that opportunity.

I recall reading that when EPO tried to go back to the Karaiskakis, Olympiakos told them no and I was under the impression that was due to their on going feud with EPO. I think EPO's original intention was to move the team to Crete but the stadium there needed work and wasn't done in time (and I guess they're not even trying to get it done now) so they've ended up back at OAKA.

I agree with Bakasetas/Fortounis comment. I believe the first half was clearly JVS trying what he wants to play against Moldova. One pure defensive mid in Zeca and 2 attacking midfielders coming deep to receive the ball and create from there. We did look vulnerable on the counter but I guess JVS is banking on our "starting defenders" to help with that. Giakoumakis ability to hold up the ball was good, he was a threat in the air, not so good with the ball on the ground, his touch wasn't the best (not the only Greek player in this category) I think Pavilids will start over him. Tzolis maybe given the start, especially if Masouras doesn't recover from the knock that kept him out of last night's match.

Little unlucky on the goal conceded but our play has clearly dropped after the 5 subs at half time, its to be expected. We've looked far more disjointed in attack.

Subs basically confirm Tsimikas, Zeca, Bakasetas will start on Sunday. Fortounis is in with a decent chance and I doubt we'll see Tzolis.

Gotta say credit to Fortounis, he's pressed (won the ball in dangerous positions as a result!) and worked hard defensively. At times he's made some slack errors on the ball but well done to him for putting in effort and improving his problem areas, long may it continue!

Looks like the game might be moved again from Toumba due to the COVID situation in Thessaloniki. Don't know how many viable options are left in Greece, is there a possibility this game gets moved to Cyprus or another neutral country? https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada-slovenia-provlima-kai-me-tin-toympa.9047185.html

Starting XI ---------Barkas Mavrias---Kourbelis---Michailidis---Tsimikas -----------Zeca---------Bakasetas Xatzigiovannis---Fortounis---------Tzolis ----------------Giakoumakis I'm assuming Kourbelis will fill in at CB based on the players selected, unless it's a different formation one of Bakasetas/Fortounis will be playing a little deeper next to Zeca. Chatzigiovannis and Giakoumakis making their debut.