paokarag4

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.

It may as well be live, we record it via a zoom call and then upload it almost as soon as we are done recording.

@BostonThanatos thanks for the feedback! Can I just ask is it the sound level or the quality in which I come through that you're finding difficult to listen to?

@PaokCT ???

This has to be a pen... Surely

Awful defending, that corner should've been dealt with. Poor positioning by us to not have a man in the correct spot to deal with a near post corner IMO

Do you see age? Because Tsabouris has looked about 40 years old for the last 7 years.

Looks like Lyratzis has gone to right back and Rodrigo to the left side

Lykogiannis has been called up to replace the injured Giannoulis. It's not expected anyone is going to be called to replace Mantalos and Svarnas, given there were already 27 players called up. With Svarnas out, its basically a lock that Chatzidiakos and Tzavellas will start at center back in the Nations League games. The friendly will probably be Lampropoulos and Michailidis. The Mantalos out opens up a spot in the starting 11, will JVS go with the safer option in Masouras or will he start Fortounis who against the parked bus that will be Moldova will be important.

A bit strange IMO that Perreira is being left out with the Giannoulis injury. Is he really that bad? He's played once against Volos where yes he wasn't great but there was heavy rotation that game, there were like 5-6 players making their debut. Not exactly ideal conditions for someone playing their match. Interested to see what we do at left back, whether it's Lyratzis/Rodrigo on their opposite side or potentially one of the CB's getting plugged in there.

I've literally mentioned Messi is one of the only players in world football who gets away with being 'lazy' without the ball. If Fortounis achieves what Messi has, then I think Martins and JVS wouldn't have any problem letting him walk around when we lose the ball. Let's not compare one of the greatest of all time to Kostaki, it's not fair to him. Anyway doesn't matter what you and I think, we only see him on the pitch for 90 mins. I take the word of a former team-mate who saw him day in day out for nearly 2 years. Ποντένσε: «Πολύ τεμπέλης ο Φορτούνης https://www.gazzetta.gr/football/superleague/article/1466724/pontense-poly-tempelis-o-fortoynis-eygnomon-ston-marinaki-pics

Fountas has a broken hand, but I heard JVS flew to Austria and broke it himself.

Thank you @Dutch Eagle for helping us preview the match!