Super sub Natcho conjuring up magical moments
Since joining Olympiacos this summer, Israeli midfielder Bibras Natcho has turned into a super substitute, providing the club with a get out jail free card. AGONAsport investigates.
When Bibars (also known as Bibras) Natcho penned a two-year control with Olympiacos in August, many thought he would be a starter for the Thrylos, but head coach Pedro Martins has decided to save the 30-year old as an impact substitute. At the beginning, there were questions surrounding Natcho’s fitness, but the experienced Israeli international has silenced his doubters with some crucial contributions in the opening months of the 2018/2019 campaign.
It all started on September 16. With Olympiacos struggling against Asteras Tripolis in Piraeus, Martins threw Natcho onto the pitch for the final six minutes of play, hoping that the midfielder would provide a clever assist for a potential winner. Nevertheless, Natcho went one better, as he expertly connected with a headed pass from Miguel Angel Guerrero to send an arrowed attempt into the net and gift the Erythrolefkoi a gritty 2:1 victory.
Now, let’s fast forward to November 4, when Olympiacos made the daunting trip to the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium to take on newly promoted Aris. Both teams seemed to be cancelling each other out, but early in the second half, Natcho replaced Lazaros Christodoulopoulos and he promptly inspired Olympiacos to scoring a brilliant goal within eight minutes. Controlling the ball in midfield, he dished out a stunning pass to the onrushing Leonardo Koutris on the left flank, who crossed into the box for Ahmed Hassan to finish. A puff of magic which conjured up a hugely important three points.
It’s not hard to figure out why Natcho was a midfield star in the Russian Premier League with Rubin Kazan and CSKA Moscow. Possessing excellent technical ability with the ball at his feet, Natcho sees passes which others can’t, finding teammates with intelligent decisions. He’s got a handy scoring touch too, something which was on show in the dramatic triumph over Asteras Tripolis at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Although he may want a starting role, Natcho is the perfect player to introduce against tiring defences, especially given the way he creates attacking traction out of nothing. Alongside the two matches with Asteras and Aris, the Israeli wizard came close to hitting the jackpot against Panionios and OFI on the road, seeing a number of attempts fly wide of the target.
In the Super League, he only has 164 minutes of action under his belt, but he’s made two starts on the European stage against AC Milan and Dudelange. On Thursday, Natcho was handed 62 minutes in the emphatic 5:1 thumping of Dudelange in the UEFA Europa League, giving a slick performance in the middle of the park.
On five occasions this season, Natcho entered the field as a substitute with the score level, but Olympiacos eventually won all of those games:
Asteras Tripolis (Super League), enters pitch on 84 minutes at 1:1, scores winner in 2:1 victory
Panionios (Super League), enters pitch on 58 minutes at 0:0, Olympiacos win 1:0
Levadiakos (Greek Cup), enters pitch on 58 minutes at 0:0, Olympiacos win 1:0
Apollon Smyrnis (Super League), enters pitch on 58 minutes at 0:0, Olympiacos win 1:0
Aris (Super League), enters pitch on 59 minutes at 0:0, Olympiacos win 1:0
The statistics don’t lie. If you want to win a tense match, simply play Natcho as a substitute, and you’ll gain the three points. Every team needs a super sub and Olympiacos certainly have theirs!
