Keeping it rolling
AGONAsport’s national team contributor, Greg Gavalas, talks about another great attacking display from the Ethniki under John Van ‘t Schip’s guidance as Greece recorded a second consecutive victory in Euro 2020 qualifying.
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For the first time since 2017, the Greek national team has won two consecutive games and in doing so, actually played wonderful football. New coach, Dutchman John Van ‘t Ship (JVS), has done a wonderful job getting rid of the old and in with the new, young, and hungry team I was confident we could one day have.
Since miraculously winning UEFA Euro 2004, many fans - new and old - thought Greece could only play defensive football. The tag line was used so often that even fans from the pre-2004 days had forgotten Greece played some good football, especially in the ’90s. In fact, it was the defence that was not that good back then.
Fans of the team in every corner of the world have a new sense of enthusiasm. The team is playing a smart formation of 4-2-3-1 but this changes when Greece attack - the two wing-backs move up and support the offensive gameplay. Against Armenia, Michalis Bakakis and Dimitris Giannoulis did an excellent job of transitioning out wide as soon as Greece were in possession and similar to the game against Bosnia, this helped the attack as numbers moved forward.
Giannoulis had an exceptional game and along with PAOK teammate, Dimitris Limnios, were the Ethniki’s two best players on the field.
Limnios has found a new batch of form this year and his speed and direct play on the right for Greece has been outstanding. His fantastic play was rewarded with his first international goal which was assisted by club teammate, Giannoulis.
How did this goal come about? Giannoulis, who made a great run down the left and cut inside, played a quick one-two pass with Tassos Bakasetas, before laying the ball for Limnios, who brilliantly shot past the keeper for what would end up being the winning goal.
On another positive note, the defence and midfield look to be forming a good combination.
For one, Pantelis Hatzidiakos looks superb in the center of defence. The AZ Alkmaar defender has taken the reins from the combo of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Kostas Manolas and has made it look almost too easy.
New captain, Kostas Stafylidis, continued at centre-back despite being a natural left-back. He was not tested by Armenia on Friday evening, but if he starts in the same position against Finland, it will be a good test to see if the Hoffenheim player can really cut it there.
The highlight so far under JVS is the midfield combination of Petros Mantalos, Tassos Bakasetas, and Limnios.
They are reading each other very well and this has allowed Greece to keep rolling in attack. This has resulted in possibly the biggest difference seen in many years for the national team. Even beyond these five years of misery, the Greek team has rarely played with this fluid attack that we have seen over the last couple of games.
The Greek game is now highlighted by quick one-two passes, a switch of play from one end to another, and good, direct running into space. The first and the latter two parts of the game are something Greece have struggled with for so long since 2014.
As a result of this play, the Galanolefki now have a new area of weakness – finishing!
For all the worth and great play, Greece are wasting many good scoring opportunities. It is a good headache to have, but eventually, it will get to the point where this will prove costly if chances are not converted into goals.
In three games against Italy, Bosnia, and Armenia, Greece have scored three goals and have missed up to seven should-be-goal scoring chances. Most guilty of all is Giorgos Masouras. The Olympiacos forward is doing a grand job of running into space at the right time, but his finishing leaves a lot to be desired, including a miss in front of an empty net against Armenia that would have put the game away late on.
This aspect of the Greek game needs to improve - not just from Masouras, though, but from everyone. Friday’s match in Yerevan should have ended 3-0 in favor of Greece, but this attacking potential is a great sign for things to come. Even in the glory years from 2002-2014, Greece were winning these games (against smaller nations) by a narrow 1-0 scoreline, but not giving up opportunities that are being wasted now.
The other impressive trait of the “new” Ethniki is the hunger and speed of winning back possession. Many times, the Ethniki press very well after losing possession and do well to win the ball back. When possession is rewon, the team transitions to attack right away, leaving the opposition vulnerable. This is potentially the biggest change we have seen under JVS’s management. Greece no longer get the ball back and ineffectively pass it back and forth between the centre-backs.
It is truly amazing what a new attitude and approach can do to a team.
The next test is against Finland. The Finns are off to their first major tournament thanks to their great play but also due to Greece picking up just one point (against Liechtenstein) from five matches between matchdays 3-7.
Like Greece did against Armenia, it is time for more revenge and another win would be the best way to end this campaign as the national team builds for the 2022 World Cup.
