Massive 2020 boost for Olympiacos with projected Fortounis return

As 2020 approaches, Olympiacos prepare to welcome back star man Kostas Fortounis after his long-term injury while Guilherme has been ruled out for one month.

Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV! 

It’s been just under six months since Olympiacos were shocked by the severe knee injury to Kostas Fortounis. The club’s plans for the season were rocked by the ACL tear suffered by the star player. Veteran French attacker Mathieu Valbuena stepped into the number 10 role and did exceptionally well until he too was lost due to two separate injuries. 

While Olympiacos have had a decent season thus far, leading the Greek Super League 1 for most of the season and qualifying for the Round of 32 in the Europa League, the prevailing assumption is that the absence of Fortounis is truly beginning to be felt.

Sunday’s 0-0 draw against Volos was another example of a match where Fortounis’ goalscoring prowess and creativity might have made the difference. The good news for Erythrolefki supporters is that the Greek international is nearing a comeback. 

Fortounis recently spoke at a club event and indicated he was hoping to return to the pitch in about a month. Off camera, the 27-year-old was even more specific, stating that he was targeting the January 26th derby with AEK as his return date.

Manager Pedro Martins will ultimately have the final say. Within the club, the attitude has always been not to rush the player’s return, such is his importance and the desire to avoid any complications from bringing him back to action too fast.

Regardless of the actual time frame, what can be said at this point is that Fortounis appears to be in the final stages of his comeback, something that will be music to the ears of all involved with the club.

Guilherme out for one month; Lazaros returns

After an injury to his tibia, suffered from a crunching tackle against Asteras Tripolis, Olympiacos midfielder Guilherme faces a spell on the sidelines. The 28-year-old Brazilian has been diagnosed with a tibia fracture and will undoubtedly miss the Piraeus club’s first matches of 2020. That means Martins will be without the services of Guilherme for a series of games, including the derby against Panathinaikos as well as further matches versus Lamia, Aris, and perhaps even OFI on January 22nd. Olympiacos play another derby against AEK, four days after their trip to Heraklion, and that is the target date for Guilherme’s return.

Some good news for Olympiacos was the return to action of veteran attacker Lazaros Christodoulopoulos on Sunday. After more than ten months on the sidelines, ‘Lazaros’ came on as a substitute for Giorgos Masouras for the last twelve minutes in the 0-0 draw versus Volos. 

by George Tsitsonis

Image Source: to10.gr

Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!