Barkas to miss 20 days after breaking finger in training
AEK goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas will miss the two UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers against Italy and Bosnia after breaking a finger in a training session on Tuesday.
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Barkas has firmly become the first choice goalkeeper for the Greek national team this year, and he was summoned to the squad for the upcoming games against Italy and Bosnia by head coach John van ‘t Schip. However, during a training session on Tuesday, the 25-year-old suffered a broken finger and has now left the Ethniki Omada.
Initial reports are suggesting that Barkas will have to sit on the sidelines for the next 20 days, meaning he will miss the Super League match against Volos NFC for AEK. There is also a possibility that Barkas will not recover in time to participate in the vital derby against Olympiacos in Piraeus on October 27.
The Hellenic Football Federation subsequently confirmed that PAOK representative Alexandros Paschalakis has replaced Barkas in the national team. Odisseas Vlachodimos of Benfica is likely to be the starting goalkeeper in the two games against Italy (October 12) and Bosnia (October 15).
Panagiotis Tsintotas will take Barkas’ place between the sticks when AEK face Volos at home in the Super League on October 20. AEK boss Nikos Kostenoglou will be hoping that Barkas will be available to play against Olympiacos at the Karaiskakis Stadium a week later.
AEK released this following message of support to Barkas:
11.5k Likes, 98 Comments - ΑΕΚ ATHENS FC (@aekfc_official) on Instagram: "Σιδερένιος Βασίλη! 💪💪💪 #aekfc #aekfamily #yellowishes @vasilhsmparkas"
Barkas has made 10 appearances for AEK across all competitions in the current season, conceding 10 goals and picking up five clean sheets. He has played in 10 games for the Greek national team over the course of his senior career.
