SLGR Regular Season Review: Five ruthless forwards
In the final edition of a four-part series, AGONAsport reviews the 2019/2020 Super League regular season, analysing the performances of five top forwards.
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The regular season review has now reached its completion after we previously analysed the best goalkeepers, defenders and midfielders. Unfortunately, the tragic coronavirus pandemic is still far from ending with thousands across the world continuing to fall ill, but the news that the Super League is hoping to stage the playoffs and playouts in May has given us hope that competitive football will soon return to our lives.
In the meantime, though, let’s take a look at the performances of AGONAsport’s five best forwards of the Super League regular season:
Youssef El Arabi (Olympiacos)
The transfer of the summer. When El Arabi penned a deal with Olympiacos, not many fans were particularly familiar with his talents, however the Moroccan forward has since dominated the Super League with his superb scoring ability. Deadly in the box, the experienced 33-year-old is the leading scorer with an impressive tally of 17 goals in 25 matches, notably scoring the winner against Panathinaikos in the Derby of the Eternal Enemies. The best striker playing in Greece.
Goals: 17
Assists: 6
Appearances: 25
Federico Macheda (Panathinaikos)
The ex-Manchester United forward has enjoyed somewhat of a career renaissance in Athens. Successfully leading the line for Panathinaikos, Macheda has been a consistent figure throughout the entire campaign, regularly scoring and linking up well with the likes of Tasos Chatzigiovanis and Ghayas Zahid. Of his 12 league goals, six were registered from the penalty spot, however his importance to this Panathinaikos cannot be underestimated.
Goals: 12
Assists: 3
Appearances: 23
Nelson Oliveira (AEK)
Initially, Oliveira received criticism for his cumbersome showings, however the Portuguese forward was one of the few AEK players to begin the season in a productive manner. On matchday one, he scored on his Super League debut with a clever volley as AEK conceded a surprise loss to Xanthi, and he subsequently tallied eight more goals including a wonderful hat-trick in a 5-0 triumph against Panionios. Since the turn of the year, Oliveira has struggled with injuries, but he does have scoring prowess to offer AEK. Wolverhampton Wanderers were reportedly close to signing the 28-year-old in January.
Goals: 9
Assists: 4
Appearances: 17
Karol Swiderski (PAOK)
Swiderski managed to keep Chuba Akpom on the PAOK bench for the majority of the regular season campaign. In his first full season in Thessaloniki, the 23-year-old Polish striker has fully settled with the Dikefalos tou Vorra, grabbing 10 goals in the domestic championship to help keep PAOK in second position of the standings. In truth, Swiderski’s form has dropped off in 2020, but he is dangerous in the penalty area and a good finisher. His best performance arrived in the fifth round as he bagged a brace against AEK at the Olympic Stadium.
Goals: 10
Assists: 1
Appearances: 24
Vitor Figueiredo (OFI)
OFI were the surprise package of the campaign as they stormed to a credible fifth place and a playoff berth. Displaying an attractive, exciting brand of football, OFI were a joy to watch, and Figueiredo was a great source of goals for the Cretans. In 24 games, the 23-year-old Brazilian attacker scored nine goals for OFI, with one of them being the winner against Lamia which secured their place in the championship playoffs. A season to remember.
Goals: 9
Assists: 0
Appearances: 24
