Possibility of playing with Wolves in June
UEFA is hoping to stage the second legs of the Europa League Round of 16 ties during the closing weeks of June, while the future of Vasilis Torosidis with Olympiacos is uncertain.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage with Go Greek TV!
It feels like an age has passed since Olympiacos played against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Last 16. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the game took place inside an empty Karaiskakis Stadium on March 12, with the teams playing to a 1-1 draw after Pedro Neto’s deflected free-kick cancelled out Youssef El Arabi’s opener. Olympiacos had seen Ruben Semedo sent off during the first half.
Initially, the second game in England was due to be played a week later, but it was subsequently indefinitely suspended as a result of COVID-19 rapidly spreading.
According to reports, UEFA is planning to stage the remaining matches of the Europa League Round of 16 by late June. However, this largely depends on the state of play concerning health risks, and the situation is continuing to worsen in England where over 7,000 people have died after contracting the illness. In Greece, however, the death toll still remains under 100 after strict regulations were immediately put in place in March.
UEFA’s goal is to successfully complete the 2019/2020 campaign without having to cancel the season. If competitive continental games are staged in June, it’s already certain that they will be played behind closed doors.
TOROSIDIS’ FUTURE UNCERTAIN
The likelihood of Vasilis Torosidis potentially ending his playing career after the current season ends has increased.
During the 2019/2020 campaign, Torosidis has been restricted to a mere six appearances across all competitions, with the ageing 34-year-old seemingly well past his best. Sportime has reported that the right-back is now engaging in negotiations with Olympiacos owner, Evangelos Marinakis, with regard to the next step. Torosidis is expected to remain a member of the Olympiacos organisation, but he might be used in a different role rather than a professional footballer.
Torosidis’ contract with Olympiacos is due to expire in June 2021.
