Macheda set for sideline stint, Panathinaikos search for a temporary stadium
Panathinaikos have been rocked by a mini injury crisis, while OAKA becomes unavailable for next weekend’s clash against Xanthi.
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Panathinaikos Rocked by Injury to Macheda
Following last Sunday’s tense derby draw against Olympiacos, Panathinaikos’ training headquarters resembles more of a ‘hospital’ than a training ground. Several players are set for stints on the sidelines, with Italian forward Federico Macheda being the highest profile casualty.
The out-of-form striker has a cut to his left leg and is certain to miss the club’s next two matches against Panionios and Xanthi. He is tipped to return after the international break in the match against Atromitos at Peristeri.
On top of this, Fanis Mavromatis is suffering from a virus, as are Joao Nunes and Fausto Tienza. Yohan Mollo and Bart Schenkeveld have been training individually this week, as they race the clock to be ready for this weekend’s clash against Panionios at Nea Smyrni. Fresh after signing a new contract extension, young forward Kristo Shehu has picked up a back injury.
As a result, the Trifylli have a striker crisis. Young Colombian forward Juan Jose Perea is the favourite to start this weekend after a strong showing against Olympiacos but doubts still remain as to whether he can handle a full 90-minute outing. After that, Giorgos Donis is low on stocks as Argiris Kampetsis and Nikos Vergos are the only other alternatives and neither have genuinely impressed since the beginning of last season. Yohan Mollo or Dimitris Kolovos playing up front would be the last resort.
Meanwhile, the club’s out of favour players have returned to training after failing to find moves away. Anthony Mounier, Fanis Tzandaris, Vangelis Oikonomou, and Panos Armenakas have all resumed training amidst this mini injury crisis, according to FIFA regulations that all players who have not found a new club after the transfer window ends (including free agent window), return to training with the rest of the squad.
OAKA Closed for Repairs
Athens’ Olympic Stadium will temporarily close down after this weekend’s derby between AEK and PAOK as the turf has picked up a disease and requires urgent maintenance. The groundwork is hoped to be concluded in time to only put out Panathinaikos and AEK for one round. It could also lead to the Ethniki searching for a temporary new stadium for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifier against Bosnia.
Panathinaikos’ Matchday 6 clash against Xanthi on the 5th of October will definitely be moved as the stadium will be unavailable. A return to the club’s spiritual home of Leoforos was initially mooted, however, recent reports suggest the game will take place at Rizoupoli instead (the home of Apollon Smyrnis). Peristeri was also a possibility but it appears Rizoupoli will be the club’s choice as it is more accessible for fans with trains nearby. Tests will also need to be carried out to ensure VAR can be used at the venue.
Relations have improved between the management of the Football Club and the Amateur Department (headed by Dimitris Giannakopoulos), who own Leoforos, and both parties wanted the game to be played at the club’s spiritual home. However, the timeframe to have Leoforos ready - both in an operational sense and the setup of VAR, made it very difficult. From a Football Club perspective, Leoforos was the first preference.
