Super League rookies impress in first half of the season

AGONAsport’s Nick Tsambouniaris looks at five rookies that have impressed in the first half of the 2019-20 Greek Super League season.

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Rookies always possess a sense of curiosity about them due to the fact that fans do not know what to expect and generally have not heard much about them. It is no different in this season’s Greek Super League as an array of talented youngsters have burst onto the scene, many of which have become regulars for their respective clubs.

Here are the top-five rookies that have impressed in the first half of the 2019-20 Greek Super League season.

Lazar Randjelovic - Olympiacos

Signed by the Reds in the summer of 2018, the young Serbian was loaned back to Radnicki Nis and performed really well (40 games, 7 goals, 12 assists). This convinced his parent club to keep him in Greece permanently for this season. Despite being only 22-years-old, the winger is now considered as a key squad member at Piraeus and caught the eye in the summer in the UEFA Champions League qualifying matches against Istanbul Basaksehir and Krasnodar.

Juan Jose Perea - Panathinaikos

The young Colombian forward joined late in the transfer window from the Porto B team. Fans had not heard of him, but he has been an absolute revelation so far this season. He was given the opening weeks of the season to train with the senior team at Panathinaikos and has not looked back since. Now a regular in the squad, he possesses that typical Colombian fire and aggression. He has a high work rate and throws himself about. He scored his first goal for the Greens in their memorable come from behind 3-2 derby win over AE by positioning himself well in the box and beat his marker to meet an expertly timed low cross.

Apostolos Tsilingiris - Aris

The 19-year-old goalkeeper moved to Thessaloniki to train with Aris from Irodotos and in late August, it was announced that he had signed a professional contract. He started the season as the third choice goalkeeper at the club and if you had told him he would feature once or twice during this season he may have been satisfied. However, injuries to Aris’ more experienced shot stoppers led to the youngster taking the field as a late substitute against Asteras Tripolis. He then played the full 90 minutes against AEK at OAKA and then against Lamia.

Giorgos Antzoulas - Asteras Tripolis

The 19-year old-defender has been on the radar for several years as he featured for the Greece U17 team at the age of 16 and possesses a maturity beyond his years. He spent last season on loan at Fiorentina and performed very well in their second team. The Italian club opted not to activate their clause to buy the player during a time in which they changed ownership. Sampdoria was linked with a move in the summer but it never happened and he has since featured for his local Asteras Tripolis in the Championship in four matches.

Giorgos Daviotis - Atromitos

The midfielder has risen through the Academy ranks at Atromitos since joining as a teenager and was tipped by former coach Damir Canadi to have a great future. He has featured on five occasions so far during his debut season, including in matches against traditional heavyweights Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. A change in managers has led to the youngster being left out of the squad for the last two matches.

by Nick Tsambouniaris

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