In Philides is the moment Athanasiades has been waiting for since his departure

In the Sunday game (9/10, 21:15, Novasports Prime) by Mars in Thessaloniki, where it will already measure its strength after the momentum of its premiere at the OPAP Arena, Eck will line up without him Cesan Stankovic. The main goalkeeper of Al-Ittihad was infected with a virus that will not be available for the game, and Matthias Almeida will necessarily adjust his plans and provide a starting position George Athanasiades.

The 29-year-old goalkeeper has not played with Saber Al-Omar for yellow and black since March 14, 2021. In that league match with Volos (loss 1-0) he played 90 minutes, completing 13 games in a row. Since then, a lot has passed, 574 days in time.

Meanwhile, the Greek goalkeeper left for Moldova Serif, on loan. In fact, contrary to expectations that wanted him to lose … by going to a country at the speed of third football, he performed excellently throughout the season, even attracting attention through operations at the Bernabéu.

Then he returned to AEK to claim the position No. 1 of his direct competitor, because, despite the talks, an agreement on the final assignment of the permanent champion of Moldova in the financial department did not arise.

One cannot say that Stankovic has performed poorly so far this season. It is, after all, constant AEK since last year. However, the unexpected before a decisive match leaves him – at this point – one step behind Athanasiades. The Greek goalkeeper now has the opportunity to show that he is at least on the same level as the Austrian. That he can constantly defend the goal posts in the Federation, and that the goalkeeper’s gloves do not have only one stand.

The fight at Philides is what Athanasius expected when he left, somewhat bitterly, for Tiraspol. He has confidence, it’s time to spread it out on the lawn.