Big-4 Early Season Snapshot | Blog – Yannis Seretis

Yiannis Seretis takes a ‘snapshot’ of the four contenders for the title, one day before the official start of the new season with the European matches between AEK and PAOK.

So we’ve come to the beginning. The days passed quickly between PAOK winning the league title in the last match and Campei’s historic goal in the Conference League final. Twenty years after 2004, this year 2024 is truly one we will never forget. What is it like… the “four” phase at the beginning? Something like this…

PAOK is called upon to support the implementation of the great goal with actions.

the Bauk Now he is going at the acquired speed. With his chemistry. With the team. It is clear that neither the stay of the precious Kinziora, nor the acquisition of Thimiani-Tsvetsii, nor even the transfer of Mandy Camara, cause emotional tremors. It is clear that finances are a “problem” and the two-headed man cannot afford to spend big. Logic dictates that with Banja Luka Lucescu will test the seriousness, consistency and thirst of many players.

He has spoken publicly about the need to have three more players, and it is clear that he cannot play in the group stage of the new Champions League with Brandon and Samatta and a bench that is weak for the level of competition in some positions. The aim is to reach the playoffs with at least two more players. Malmö next round will not be “easy”. The bar has been set high with the adage “the group” being the main goal of the season heard throughout the summer. So far, so good, but the next paths need strengthening.

AEK will be ‘built’ in their six European matches

the new Eek So far, Matias Almeida has been brilliant in the transfer market, and will try to build on his six European appearances. Sorry, but I’m sure they’ll qualify on the Inter Descaldes and the winner of Noah-Sliema. So, six games. For Brignoli and Strakossa, for Kuyta and Lamela, for Pereira and Odubajo, for the new striker and any left-back they get as a starter. He’s already complete in all positions except one, where the gap is deafening.

Araujo is gone, Pons is sold, Van Wert is gone, Zuber is out of the squad, and Almeida offers Amrabad, as he said today! Yes, Levi is fine and… let’s go! She has enthusiasm, she has new motivations, new faces “satisfied”, the initial ice of her friends after the change of ownership has disappeared. Almeida will find it, and the OPAP arena will be full again this year. And the best thing is that heads are amazed after last year’s kazoo at the end. Vamos por Duelos, that is… “Let’s go to the duels”, as Eliopoulos also says…

Panathinaikos’ great need to buy time

Panathinaikos has found a good coach. A really good coach, very hungry and managing a pre-season that is generally full of problems. Without the very valuable Ioannidis (we will see in September if he will remain in the list), without the Slovenians for the most part, without new wingers, playing with Mancini Djuricic and Jeremijev at the top. A top that left the European list last year! They have Maksimovic, they have Ingason, their midfield is good (it would be a loss if Vagiannidis leaves, who seems to like Alonso…), but offensively they are struggling at the moment with players who will probably be substitutes all season long. !

I don’t know if it’s enough to eliminate Botev, Panathinaikos are clearly the favorites, but the damage is easy to do in the first match, the day after tomorrow. If he is careful defensively, he will qualify. She needs this qualification badly for dozens of reasons. To catch her breath, to take a player or two, to buy time for Ioannidis to return, to play with Ajax without the word “should” anymore, but with more fun and positive energy.

Olympiacos ready for the most balanced lineup with three ‘weapons’

Olympiacos… watching from afar. In my opinion, the group construction goes in the best balance. With many seniors, but also with new faces and with some youngsters if they deserve a chance for Mendeleiber. Olympiacos has three great weapons: a) The “cushion” of the Conference League if it starts with some mistakes and failures in the league and Europe b) Absolute trust and absolute respect for the work and personality of its coach c) Time, contacts and money to build the squad the way it wants. That is, without the pressure of the summer playoffs.

These “luxuries” on his rivals also increase the requirements for accuracy in transfers. Especially since the list is slowly being formed in terms of replacing Karmos. For the second time he will find Super, the gun has not lost the needle that Brathwaite left since the moment of the renewal of the heel. The “ten” will find (if he wants…). Xtreme has Zilson – Masura, Podence will probably become… “Vezinkov”, if he gets a capable one, will also surpass PAOK in quality on the wings. At the moment, there are no clouds in Olympiacos. With the children and the “old ones” he was superior to both Ajax and Malen…