Patient Ingason in remarkable form for PAOK 

PAOK signed Sverrir Ingi Ingason in the 2019 January transfer window with high expectations from the Icelandic defender, however, following a slow start to his career in Thessaloniki, the centre-back has produced stunning performances this season.

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PAOK signed Ingason on deadline day on a three-and-a-half-year contract from Russian outfit FC Rostov. The 26-year-old was a consistent performer across Spain, Belgium, and Russia, while also contributing to Iceland’s rise throughout UEFA Euro 2016.

However, Ingason failed to make an impact in the second half of the 2018/2019 season, as he only made a total of six appearances for PAOK, which included just one match in the Greek Super League. Unfortunately for Ingason, the centre-back partnership of Fernando Varela and Jose Angel Crespo was solid, and PAOK’s former manager Razvan Lucescu had no intention of changing that partnership last season.

After the arrival of PAOK’s new manager Abel Ferreira, there was a clean slate for all the players, which many believed would be Ingason’s chance to play regular first-team football. Nevertheless, Ferreira also decided to go with the duo of Varela and Crespo. Ingason was on the bench during PAOK’s European qualifying campaign in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, while also remaining a substitute in the first five league games of the 2019/20 season.

However, a meniscus injury to Varela in October opened up the door for Ingason to make his mark. The Icelandic international has now started in 10 consecutive league games for PAOK, managing to keep eight clean sheets along the way. Notably, he has grabbed four goals at the other end this season, proving that he is an attacking threat - especially from set-pieces.

Ingason’s first goal in the black and white jersey came in a 1-1 draw at Olympiacos. He scored a tap-in after a free-kick delivered in by Josip Misic:

His second goal for the Dikefalos tou Vorra was in a 2-0 away victory at Panionios. The goal was scored following a corner, which dropped to the feet of Ingason. The defender turned and put the ball in the back of the net to give the Greek champions the lead:

Ingason scored PAOK’s second and third goals in their 5-1 rout over Atromitos last week. The first goal arrived at point-blank range after Karol Swiderski hit the crossbar.  His second goal was from a set-piece, as Ingason beat the opposing goalkeeper with a clever header:

Ingason has been a welcome addition to PAOK’s first team, standing out with his patience to wait for his opportunity to break into the starting XI. His key strength has been his calmness with the ball at his feet, while also reading the game brilliantly to nullify the threat posed by opponents.

by Athan Stylos

Image Source: to10.gr

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