SLGR Regular Season Review: Five magical midfielders
In the third of a four-part series, AGONAsport reviews the 2019/2020 Super League regular season, analysing the five best midfielders.
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Having previously looked at the best goalkeepers and defenders, we now analyse the top five midfielders of what was an enthralling Super League regular season. At the moment, the future of the championship is still very much uncertain with the coronavirus pandemic yet to pass, however there is hope that the playoffs and playouts will eventually take place once the situation stabilises enough.
Let’s take a closer glance at the statistics of five stand-out midfielders:
Mathieu Valbuena (Olympiacos)
The French magician has been setting the Super League alight. In the summer of 2019, Olympiacos lost Kostas Fortounis to a serious knee injury, but Valbuena subsequently cushioned that blow with fantastic performances. Particularly linking up well with the prolific Youssef El Arabi, the diminutive 35-year-old been a crucial figure for Olympiacos, dishing out plenty of assists and popping up with six goals. His superb technical skills, low sense of gravity and intelligence are major reasons why Olympiacos are close to securing the title.
Goals: 6
Assists: 11
Passes completed: 200
Appearances: 19
Petros Mantalos (AEK)
Yes, it’s certainly been a turbulent season for AEK with the club changing managers twice, however Mantalos has been a consistent performer throughout the entire campaign. Playing with confidence and flair, the gifted attacking midfielder is firmly back to his best with the Kitrinomavri, providing AEK with clever attacking ideas, six key goals and nine vital assists. Clubs from Turkey, including Super Lig leaders Basaksehir, are reportedly eager to sign the 28-year-old in the upcoming transfer window.
Goals: 6
Assists: 9
Passes completed: 144
Appearances: 21
Josip Misic (PAOK)
In truth, it was somewhat of a challenging regular season for PAOK, with the reigning Greek champions struggling in the big games and suffering a damaging seven-point deduction from the standings. Nevertheless, while the Dikefalos tou Vorra have often been found wanting, Misic has been in the form of his life. Pulling the strings, the Croatian midfielder has provided an impressive total of eight assists, also scoring five goals including a last-gasp equaliser against arch-rivals Aris. Misic, 25, will remain at PAOK on a permanent basis from Sporting Lisbon.
Goals: 5
Assists: 8
Passes completed: 244
Appearances: 25
Guilherme (Olympiacos)
Both Guilherme and Andreas Bouchalakis have been in great form for Olympiacos in the middle of the park. Guilherme, 28, has particularly stood out with his reliable showings, shielding the defence effectively and providing a solid link between the back line and attack. In the Super League, the Brazilian hasn’t made any assists this season, however he did contribute with the decisive pass for the first goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the UEFA Europa League. He also scored in the 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.
Goals: 2
Assists: 0
Passes completed: 178
Appearances: 19
Adil Nabi (OFI)
It’s been a campaign to remember for the technically gifted English midfielder. Last year, Nabi heroically kept OFI in the division by scoring a dramatic winner against Platanias in the Super League relegation playouts, and the 26-year-old has continued taking a leading role for the Cretans this time around with his sheer class. Three of Nabi’s four goals against Olympiacos, Atromitos and Lamia were all stunners.
Goals: 4
Assists: 3
Passes completed: 123
Appearances: 17
