Van ‘t Schip expected to name experimental squad for March friendlies
John van ‘t Schip is expected to call Konstantinos Mavropanos, Giorgos Kyriakopoulos and Taxiarchis Fountas up to the national team for the upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and Mexico in the USA.
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In accordance with information provided by Sport24.gr, Van ‘t Schip has decided to summon Mavropanos, Kyriakopoulos and Fountas to the senior national team this month, with Greece set to compete in friendly matches against Mexico and Costa Rica on American territory. Tasos Bakasetas and Manolis Siopis, who have both impressed with Alanyaspor in Turkey this season, will also be in the team.
Mavropanos, 22, initially endured a tough start to the campaign as he failed to earn an opportunity to display his capabilities with Arsenal in the English Premier League. However, in the January transfer window, he moved on loan to Nuremberg in the second tier of German football where he has subsequently caught the eye with reliable showings in defence. During the last two weeks, Mavropanos has been on the sidelines with an injury, however he is expected to be fit again for the international break.
Last summer, left-back Kyriakopoulos was signed on loan by Sassuolo from Asteras Tripolis, with the 24-year-old going on to prove that he is capable of competing at the top level. So far, Kyriakopoulos has made 15 appearances in Serie A for Sassuolo, contributing with three assists as he has rapidly gained the trust of the coaching staff. Van ‘t Schip is eager to find out if Kyriakopoulos can transfer his strong club form to the national team.
Over in Austria, Fountas is enjoying the season of his life with Rapid Vienna, registering an impressive total of 14 goals in just 19 Bundesliga games. Competing with confidence, the 24-year-old striker has been lethal in the Austrian championship, taking advantage of the vast majority of opportunities which come his way. Fountas is likely to compete with Vangelis Pavlidis for a spot in the starting line-up.
At this moment in time, Greece are still scheduled to compete against Costa Rica (March 26) and Mexico (March 29) in the USA, but the coronavirus outbreak has created the possibility of the games being cancelled. Reports from Sport FM on Monday suggested that Olympiacos have asked the Hellenic Football Federation to cancel the fixtures.
More concrete information concerning the possible cancellation of the two friendly games is expected in the coming days.
Greece will play against Kosovo, Moldova and Slovenia in Group 3 of League C in the 2020/2021 UEFA Nations League, which will begin in September.
