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Twice in the critical 96 hours of March. At the height of the 77-day war. Equally important and difficult victories, without liabilities. Two amazing games from Socrates Papastathopoulos. And several reflections on the usefulness of other footballers – such as José Cholebas – who are theoretically preparing to close their circle.
The last results from Thursday to Sunday for the doubles, before the national break. At the Emirates with Arsenal. In Karaiskaki with Aris, where a game of more than 50 minutes “with one less player” emerged. Or put another way: the first time that the Olympiakos organization, coordinated under Pedro Martins, tries to break a taboo of those who (perhaps) delay it: especially in its desire for the above in Europe.
The attempt to add the 3-center formation to the playbook.
The training at Rentis was completed a while ago. The test of 11 teams has taken place for tomorrow’s game against AEK. The coach’s choice: Form again with 3 centrals. And with the incorporation of Rubén Semedo to the line of Socrates and Usain Ba. Classic 3-4-2-1. With Thanasis Androutsos and Jose Cholebas in lateral roles (outside the mission the punished Kenny Lala and the “empty” Oleg Reabciuk). And Jan Embilas and Mandy Kamaras in midfield.
Is it really about tomorrow’s team? It will be seen on stage. If you don’t try it in training you will. Then it is not what matters. What is really worth “measuring” is that the Portuguese coach also has this formation in mind in April. At a time when he is no longer “forced” by special situations such as injuries, etc.
In March, the 3 plugs came to light out of necessity. Successive injuries. The image with Arsenal in Karaiskakis, the error -of the result- of taking Embila out of midfield, the plan for the rematch. It was that trilogy that brought the new data to the table. April is an option. And this difference certainly does not go unnoticed.
To be typical, of course: for the first time Olympiacos flirted with the idea of 3 center-backs from the Champions League group stage. He did it against Manchester City. March was the first time he looked really fit. Most likely sorry Socrates who likes the “glue” matched all the pieces. And perhaps this difference is what keeps it “up to date”. And for the last part of the season. Maybe for next season’s race planning.
In London the triangle was Ba, Socrates, Cholebas (who somehow wished he were 32 and did not close on June 37). Embila-Kamara in the midline. Androutsos and Reabciuk in Lima. Now Cholebas will fill the “gap” in Moldova and the trio will be joined by perhaps the most important footballer who has been playing for us for the last two years: Semedo.
The plan in the Emirates did not work passively. On the contrary, he helped Olympiakos rally 60-65 minutes at the pace of Arsenal, preventing the English in just over two or three important moments up there. Less after all than yours. The correlations changed after Ba’s “stupid” expulsion. This is proof that 3 plugs doesn’t mean a … home front coach, as most people think. Even in games with better teams.
Olympiacos have been looking for (and to some extent achieving) something very difficult for years. At the same time maintain a competitive “profile” in Greece and Europe. It occurs since the time of Ernesto Valverde, who realized for the first time that the rojiblancos cannot want to look like … two different teams in the same season. Successive bets on good Spanish and Portuguese coaches have given that “formula” over the years. At some point, however, Piraeus comes to knockouts, they are invited to play this football with teams that have more skills and this creates specific conditions. This happens 9 times out of 10 when the other has a 3-4-10 times higher market value on the list.
So is the three-center method one of those that can bring this challenge closer to the doubles measures? Can this thinking be added to the arsenal with similar moves in the summer in the transfer market? It will seem. What is true, however, is that something that did not even exist as thought now exists. And the coach likes it. The one who is already preparing for chapter 4.
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