Greece has a massive opportunity to build on its progress under Ivan Jovanović; the Ethniki is close to qualifying for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.
Standing in their way are the ever-dangerous Netherlands and, to round out the group campaign, the not-to-be underestimated Serbia.
Some fans, yours truly included, may have said before this month that, given the Ethniki had at least secured third place back in October along with a Pot 1 placing for UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying, these November games could be approached with less pressure than first
thought-not any more, in my view anyway.
A top-two finish in our current Nations League group could mean that, should Greece not qualify directly for the next Euros, being one of the best-performing Nations League sides enables the Ethniki to nab a play-off spot.
Needless to say, finishing in the top two is a no brainer aim for Jovanović and co.
There are not many, if any, controversial elements in the Gaffer’s squad.
Anastasios Bakasetas’ return has been met with a fair amount of outrage.
To an extent, I understand, given he’s 33, we played well in his absence in September and October, and the fact that there are five strikers in this squad, which, to me, says Bakasetas’ minutes, position wise, will be in central midfield, not his usual central-attacking midfield role.
However, his leadership and influence in the dressing room are obvious assets, which, weirdly, the cynics have either forgotten or choose to ignore; he’s scored 4 goals and provided 6 assists in 15 caps, so he clearly knows his way to goal.
If, like me, where possible, you like fringe senior National Team players to be closer to their early-mid-20s than their early 30s, then you could potentially waggle your finger at Jovanović for selecting Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Dimitris Giannoulis over Andreas Ntoi and
Nikos Athanasiou.
With the eyebrow-raising green light for three right backs (great to see Rota back, by the way; sorry cynics, not really), but you have to say that the coach has largely nailed his squad selection (Christos Mouzakitis with the Under-21 side among those
good calls in my opinion too).
This principle could’ve and perhaps should’ve applied to Athanasiou.
Jovanović has continued his tradition of gradually rewarding an untried player on an upward trajectory.
This time, Ilias Koutsoupias. Helping Frosinone gain promotion
from Serie B last season with 8 goals and 4 assists in 36 appearances earned him a move to R.S.C. Anderlecht; hopefully his next reward is a maiden senior cap for Greece against either the Netherlands or Serbia.
Speaking of our two opponents this month, don’t go into either game suspecting it won’t be tough.
Let’s start with the Dutch; unlike the game in Greece, we’ll likely face players like Cody Gakpo, Donyell Malen, Brian Brobbey, and Jan Paul van Hecke, making this assignment even harder than it’d be if they weren’t there.
As for Serbia, our strikers may have to face imposing centre-back Nikola Milenković, someone they didn’t encounter last time.
The same goes for the son of the legendary Dejan Stanković, Aleksander, who, like father, like son, plays for Inter Milan.
Then there’s the return to their squad of the experienced
Aleksander Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović.
Mitrović boasts an impressive 64 goals for his country, while Vlahović’s form for Beşiktaş has been red-hot so far this season, with 7 goals
and 1 assist from 13 games, not to mention a healthy 16 goals for his country in his senior career.
Ivan Jovanović would be foolish to back away from his fearless attitude with his formation, so if I were him, I’d stick with a 4-4-2.
I’d say just under half of the starting line-up spots are up for grabs.
You can put your mortgage on Konstantinos Tzolakis in goal, with a centre-back pairing of Konstantinos Mavropanos and Panagiotis Retsos, Kostas Tsimikas at left-back, Konstantinos Karetsas on the right flank, Christos Tzolis at left-wing, and Vangelis Pavlidis up
front.
Christos Zafeiris’ suspension for the Netherlands game opens up a can of worms for who gets the nod in central midfield.
The dark side in me would love to see Anastasios Bakasetas start the Dutch game and play well, just so those who hate him all have a
synchronised hissy-fit.
In all seriousness, I’ll have no issues with whoever Jovanović picks
there, provided they complement each other. I’d choose Lazaros Rota at right-back.
As solid as Manolis Saliakas and Georgios Vagiannidis were in his absence in September and October, I think we missed Rota’s pace in that position.
His match fitness might be a bit sharper than Saliakas’ and/or Vagiannidis’, given Rota barely misses a 90-minute shift for AEK.
As for who partners Pavlidis up front, I honestly don’t care who. Any of them deserve that chance.
Anastasios Douvikas’ recent goalscoring form may force the coach’s hand there, though.
If all involved can grab a Nations League quarter-finals spot, I think I speak for all Ethniki fans when I say we’d all be so proud of them; here’s hoping they can do it.
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