Mid Season Review- Asteras Tripolis F.C.

Mid Season Review- Asteras Tripolis F.C.

By Alexander Koutakos



Asteras Tripolis have had an extravagant start of the season for their standards! They usually finish 8-11 in the Greek Super League table. However, at the moment the Arcadians sit in 6th place with 17 points, in a very congested super league table!


During the summer, they had a somewhat quiet transfer window. Furthermore, the higher-ups of the club stayed the same and the recurring cycle of signing foreign players continued. In regards to the purchasing of foreign players, they managed to sign Gomez(RW- Argentina), Garcia(RB- Spain), Castano(CB- Spain) and a few more.


Asteras’s Form Throughout The Season

At the start of the season the Arcadians were in tremendous form. Furthermore, the Peloponnesian outfit won 4 out of their first 6 games. Those 4 wins were against Panathinaikos(1-0), Apollon Smyrni(5-1), Larissa(3-1) and OFI(1-0). However, since their win against OFI they have gone on a 7 game winless streak . That 7 game winless streak includes 4 draws and 3 losses.


Impact Of Their Key Players

 So far this season, their star players Barrales(ST/ CF) and Kotsiras(RB/LB) have put on amazing performances in the Greek Super League! Furthermore, Barrales has tallied the second most goals in the Greek Super League(8) and Kotsiras has tallied 2 assists and has been defensively solid throughout the season. 


Below is a short description of the other teams that will challenge the Arcadians for the lucrative 6th spot in the Greek Super League;


In terms of making the Greek Super League “Play- Off Round”, the Arcadians have firm and difficult opposition. These include,Volos(16pts), OFI(15pts), Atromitos(14pts), and PAS Giannina(13 pts). 


Volos- are a well organized side with good players, such as Warda and Douvikas.

OFI- In my opinion, they are the  best run side( in terms of management,owner, fairplay, etc.) in the super league. They also boost a strong side with high caliber super league players such as; De Guzman and Balogiannis.

Atromitos- They have a strong defence and bost a strong blend of young and old talent.

PAS Giannina- They play well and don’t rely on one player to score all the goals.


I personally think that the Arcadians and the Cretans(OFI) will be the two sides that will truly battle out for 6th place,  but anything can happen in this abnormal super league campaign. 


Why would a 6th place finish be lucrative for the Arcadians?

For the Arcadians a 6th place finish would be instrumental(in terms of gaining/receiving extra capital) for their planned renovations of the Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium.  


On a personal note, I have seen the stadium when I was in Tripoli and it was not in the best of conditions. Moreover, the stadium had broken chairs and a dirty interior. Therefore, renovations would serve the stadium well and provide Greek soccer in the region a well needed facelift. 


Good luck to Asteras!


Hellas Football

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