paokarag4

Tsitsipas beats Djokovic in the quarter finals of the Shanghai Masters 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Through to the semis where he will take one of his demons Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev hold 4-0 record over Stefano, let's see if he can turn that around and make a second masters final for the year.

Paschalakis ends up getting called up to replace the injured Barkas

No doubt it could get ugly against the Italians. I mean they basically stopped playing after going 3 up in Athens and still could have had 4-5 goals. Without Sokratis and Manolas you feel it could get really bad but who knows. If the reports are correct and Van't Schip intends on calling them up in future, then to me it makes no sense to leave them out for these 2 games. Try the youth v Armenia and Finland next month the last thing we want is two heavy losses against Italy and Bosnia. If he doesn't intend on calling them up again and is going for a full rebuild then it makes sense them leave out and assess your other options. But if not then it's just illogical. But hey this is the Ethniki wouldn't be the first time common sense doesn't prevail.

Apparently Torosidis is retiring. Interesting to see whether Sokratis and Manolas is a permanent thing or they are being left out because we have conceded we aren't qualifying for Euro 2020 and they've asked to be left out to focus on their club form/fitness If Van't Schip has seen something he doesn't like in the dressing rooms from these guys then it brings back memories of Rehhagel in 2002, when he booted Georgatos, Zikos and others. Now this can obviously back fire because one: those 2 are by far our best center backs and two: It could upset the rest of the squad and the revolving coaching door of the ethniki will continue. If they cut all the senior guys (which maybe the case if Zeca and Mitro are indeed left out) the younger generation are probably inclined to take the opportunity with both hands and really establish themselves/rebuild the NT with Van't Schip. If that is the case I hope the younger guys don't turn on the coach, work hard take this chance, thrive on the responsibility. Get us back contending for qualification in the next 2-3 tournaments.

I have a feeling it's around 59 or something, Olympiakos have it I believe. With the draw overnight we sit at 40 games unbeaten.

Geez that is very very cringe. It's just in keeping with Greek football though, here we have people employed by clubs going onto social media and having b1tch fights like they are 15 year old fan boys. So much about Greek football is cringe and it's a big reason as to why I try to only focus on the games and news relating to actual footballing matters. Easier said than done

I know he hasn't been making the squads so hard to say he should start but no harm in starting Lamprou. Jaba has been poor this season but holds his spot, we have depth on the wings with Lamprou, Stoch and Limnios (who I don't want to see start either) It's not working, we have a deep squad throw the magnets around let's see what happens. Won't be long a few more dropped points and the rumblings will start calling for Abel's head.

GOOOOAAAAAALLLLL MISIC!!!!!

The shot look to be deflected but yes he has lost his form badly, always had mistakes in him but it's becoming a weekly occurrence now. 7 mins stoppage time let's see if we can salvage a draw from this awful display

The first 25 mins was 2 goals being scored and then Aris players lying down being operated on by their medical staff on the pitch. Except more of the same in the 2nd half, we need to score to open up the game

In terms of football ability and footballing IQ Pelkas is nowhere near Biseswar. Pelkas is a better athlete but Biseswar is by far the better footballer.

I can't see Esiti not starting. Despite him being poor against Atromitos (after the first 30 mins or so) our other midfielders are far too attacking, it's a reason we are conceding more goals this season. Missing Mauricio who is the perfect box to box as well as playing with 2 in the middle instead of 3, we are constantly out numbered in the middle and opposing teams are reaching our back 4 too easily. So IMO Esiti will start.

His set piece deliveries were very good, not that it was a secret it was all over his highlights.

The goal was it was, a quick player had half the field to work with, he beat our CB's for pace it happens. Manolas has clocked the quickest speed in Serie A, the other player was just express quick and finished well. He is one of a few players who play at a decent level in the Liechtenstein squad in the Swiss league with Thun. When you don't bury your chances you leave yourself open to counters that may cost you. Still no excuse but on another day we are 3-0 up and that counter probably never happens and if it does we win 3-1. There are issues no doubt, the good thing is it seems Van't Schip is going to stick around and be given the opportunity to lead us into qualifying next year let's see what he can do and if he's backed by the players, that's the key. They are the ones who call the shots in Greece.

Our players have a serious problem with being pressed. It's unbelievable, it's like they've never experienced it before. Like they've been pulled out of another footballing era and dropped into the modern game. I find it staggering that they expect to be given 5 seconds to control the ball, take a breath, have a look before they turn and then FINALLY turn. It was an issue that we struggled with and cost us against Armenia and we struggled again last night. I expect us to be too good for Liechtenstein regardless of if they press or not but it's something that needs to be addressed moving forward. Although I'm not sure it's something that can necessarily be improved once players reach senior international level.

I think it's fair to say if Fortounis and Donis are playing we probably win that game. Fortounis obviously out of our control but I can't agree with the logic of not calling up Donis. He isn't fit? Neither is Torosidis, they both have played the same mins this seasons a big fat zero. The difference is we sorely lack creativity and especially with Fortounis injured you don't leave Donis out. Hopefully we batter Liechtenstein and Van Schipt is given the rest of this campaign and leads us into World cup 2022 qualifying. Any slip up there and there ever revolving door of managers will likely continue.

Limnios has been called up to replace Mantalos.

Mantalos is far more technically better than Pelkas. Pelkas brings energy and in space he can be dangerous. But he's a classic inbetween player, not quite a dekari, not quite a striker, not a winger. No problems with Mantalos starting at the 10 with Fortounis injured.

Yep he's been struggling since Wimbledon. Rublev is no slouch and was considered one of the up and coming starts a few years back, not sure if injuries have gotten him or what but he has dropped over the last year or 2. Regardless it was a close match

Bananas stop being so Greek and arguing! Next time we should bend down and kiss the feet of our Dutch opponents, they are Dutch after all! Is there anything more honorable than playing against a Dutch giant like Ajax? They can do no wrong! They are Dutch after all! The Dutch have the greatest moral compass in the world and play the best football in the world! I didn't realise the Dutch were so insecure but our Dutch friend here showed me that all Dutch people are whinny little babies who for some reason need their ego stroked. I thought the Dutch were honorable especially the Dutch of Ajax given they've taken a great Greek warrior's name!!

Greek football is well and truly back, VAR solves nothing and a coach has already been sacked

Ahhhh we want to start the D1111ck measuring contest? I'm down! How cold was is at -23 last season Alphonse?

Add Zeljko Kalac for goalkeeper coach kai figame gia Euro 2020

Williem currently leading Fortuna Sittard 3-2 in the 70th min. Pavlidis with 2 of the goals, Vrousai with the other. I would be very surprised if he isn't called up by Van't Schip

LOL talk about not very bright, Greeks as an ethnic group absolutely can be racially discriminated against. What was his joke? @hminkema Illuminate me as to how it was a joke and how you can dictate what people perceive as racist or not.