Greeks Abroad Extented Wrap Up

Once again our man on the scene gives us an overall view of Greeks Abroad and looks at the key playing in the #SLGR

Tasos Donis / Stuttgart

Came on for the last 15 minutes of the match in a 3-1 loss for Stuttgart. His team hardly had the ball but he had some good touches, controlled the ball well the few times he did have a chance, while he also made good runs, etc on the wing but never really got the ball. On the negative side while it’s great he’s being more aggressive these days and playing defence more, a bad foul on Witsel in the middle of the field nearly cost his team a goal from a free kick from Paco Alcacer.

Panos Retsos & Kyriakos Papadopoulos are just now coming back from injuries while Kostas Stafylidis is still out for a few weeks and missed his teams match as well.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos / Arsenal

Not his best match midweek in the Europa League having got sent off with a second yellow card late in the first half. While the second yellow was a joke (at least in my opinion) he wasn’t at his best for sure.

Against Manchester United he was simply one of the best players on the field and helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet (rare) versus Manchester United in what was a huge match for both teams to finish in the top four for Europe next season.

Panagiotis Tachtsidis / Lecce

Started and played till the 80th minute. Did his job in midfield helping his team allow only 4 shots on goal (& none on target)& although it is in Serie B he seems to be back too his best.

Babis Lykogiannis was on the bench for Cagliari as well as Karnezis for Napoli, while Manolas is still out injured for Roma

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Dimitris Siovas / Leganes  

Suspended and missed his side's 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Portugal

Andreas Samaris / Benfica

Didn't play in their Europa League match midweek (Where they lost 1-0), but started and was one of Benfica's best players despite his teams 2-2 draw. Tactically he was flawless playing in a 2 man midfield and often the one pushing up more. He not only was the one that often won the ball but his passing was good, and he even scored an impressive goal to momentarily give his team a 2-0 lead. Came off in the 79h minute likely for tactical reasons.

Odysseas Vlahodimos / Benfica

In Benfica's midweek Europa League match he saved several chances to keep his team still in the knock out tie. While in Monday's league match it was quite the opposite unfortunately. With his team up 2-0 he completely misread a free kick and allowed it to sneak into his net, to make matters worse one of his defenders soon after made his own mistake which suddenly made it 2-2. A result that leaves them now tied with FC Porto for 1st place.

Holland

Vaggelis Pavlidis / WIllem II

Pavlidis had an assist in their 3-2 win

Lazaros Lamprou

Did his best to press, make runs, and dribble his way into dangerous situations to try to create something. Unfortunately that hardly ever happened though as his team barely touched the ball (Probably why he came off in the 73rd minute) with Ajax dominating them in a 4-0 win).

Pantelis Hantzidiakos was on the bench for AZ Alkmaar but didn't play.

Denmark

Zeca /Fc Copenhagen

Started and played in midfield in his team's 2-2 draw.

Some notes from the Greek Super League matches:

AEK Vs. Panathinaikos

In a match most would quickly like to forget there where several players Anastasiadis would have had an interest in.

M.Bakakis, made some runs and tried to add some width, but didn't venture forward much after.

T.Bakasetas, again played on the wing where he offered very little.

In midfield Galanopoulos struggled at times having just recently come back, while D.Kourbelis was great defensively, tactically, tackling, etc, even almost scored late but like Galanopoulos didn't offer much going forward.

Olympiakos vs. Aris

-K.Fortounis, Wasn't at his best yet his through ball to Podence led to their first goal (Masouras) and overall did a good job dictating play through the middle.

-A. Bouchalakis starting for the first time in a while he had a quiet and solid game distributing the ball in a deeper role, and tackling, covering, etc

-G.Masouras His runs (Especially in the box) have added something Olympiakos had been missing all season (as well as the National Team). His shooting and overall team play seems to only get better.

-M.Siopis, Once again everywhere for Aris in midfield, tracked back, frustrated Fortounis, passed it well, covered the flanks....  I would simply be shocked if he wasn't called up.

-I.Fetfatzidis, Seemed to be back to his best, had some dribbles that wowed everyone, and almost scored on a great run through the middle (Where he often would play and drift from the wing where he started).

G.Valerianos, already 27 and unknown to many. After a few impressive performances over the last few weeks against some of the top teams in Greece I felt he deserves some recognition. Left footed but often played on the right flank he assisted on Aris's only goal, has pace, is physical, and although he was caught out of position on Podence's goal he's a promising full back that has had a great season and I feel could help the Ethniki Omada. 

By Apo for Hellas Football