Victory the only option in Liechtenstein
UEFA EURO 2020 QUALIFYING - MATCHDAY 1
| Liechtenstein | 21:45 (GR) | Greece |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, 23-Mar |
Greece will be hoping to avoid any shocks against Liechtenstein in the opening match of UEFA Euro 2020 qualification. AGONAsport looks ahead to the duel.
Yes, it’s only Liechtenstein, but Greece’s recent results mean we can’t take this match for granted. Ever since qualifying for the Last 16 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the Ethniki Omada have lost to the likes of the Faroe Islands (twice), Luxembourg and Estonia, and a dreadful few years have seen the country miss out on two successive major competitions.
The dismal UEFA Nations League campaign in late 2018 did little to raise the fans’ spirits. Placed in a group with Finland, Hungary and Estonia in League C, the Greeks would have expected to take first place, but three defeats in six games put paid to any chances of that happening. Angelos Anastasiadis replaced Michael Skibbe at the helm after losing to the Finns in Tampere.
All of that is rather gloomy to read, but the qualification phase for Euro 2020 is a golden opportunity for the Ethniki to finally start making the nation proud again. Pitted in Group J alongside Italy, Bosnia, Finland, Armenia and Liechtenstein, the Greeks aren’t considered as favourites, but it’s perfectly realistic to potentially finish in at least second place and qualify for a tournament again.
A positive start is vital if Greece are to make a challenge in the group. On Tuesday, the team will play direct contenders Bosnia in a hugely important match, but before that, the Ethniki must deal with Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
On the face of it, Greece should certainly have enough to earn the three points in Liechtenstein, but as Olympiacos midfielder Kostas Fortounis pointed out in his press-conference, a quick goal is required. Greece have historically found it extremely difficult when having to play on the front foot against supposedly weaker opposition.
In the past, these two countries have met on three occasions, with Greece tallying three victories with a combined goal difference of +5. In 2014 World Cup qualifying, the Greeks struggled for long periods in Vaduz, but a 72nd minute goal from Konstantinos Mitroglou saved the team’s blushes. The other two matches were 2:0 wins.
TEAM NEWS: LIECHTENSTEIN
Predictably, Liechtenstein don’t boast any marquee players on their roster, but they do have a handful of players with experience is respectable championships. Captain Michele Polverino, 34, is a key player in the midfield with 71 caps to his name. Head coach Helgi Kolvidsson has only been manager of Liechtenstein since January.
Possible line-up: Buchel, Rechsteiner, Kaufmann, Hofer, Goppel, Meier, Sele, Polverino, Hasler, Erne, Salanovic.
TEAM NEWS: GREECE
Initially, it seemed Sokratis Papastathopoulos would definitely miss this encounter, but Anastasiadis subsequently revealed that there is at least a chance the commanding Arsenal defender will play in Vaduz. Reports in the media have suggested Anastasiadis will go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, using Panathinaikos captain Dimitris Kourbelis as a central defender. Galatasaray forward Mitroglou is expected to lead the attacking line.
Possible line-up: Vlachodimos, Bakakis, Kourbelis, Siovas, Koutris, Zeca, Samaris, Fortounis, Donis, Masouras, Mitroglou.
REFEREE: ALEXANDRE BOUCAUT (BEL)
38-year-old Belgian referee Boucaut will be the man in the middle in Vaduz. In the 2018/2019 season, Boucaut has refereed one UEFA Europa League qualifying match between Slovan Bratislava and Balzan FC (3:1), while also overseeing 17 Jupiler League games.
Referee: Alexandre Boucaut (BEL)
Assistant referees: Laurent Conotte (BEL), Jimmy Cremers (BEL)
Fourth official: Jonathan Lardot (BEL)
WHERE TO WATCH
The match can be seen LIVE from AGONAsport, courtesy of World Greek TV, for anyone living outside of Greece or Cyprus. The match will be televised in Greek commentary. Purchasing details can be found below or by following this link.
