paokfc.gr/First Team/Rivakl Analysis: OFI profile
Rivakl Analysis: OFI profile
Paokfc.gr’s Rival Analysis column puts the magnifying glass on this weekend’s opponents OFI, giving you the lowdown on everything you need to know about the Cretan club ahead of our Super League Interwetten contest at the Theodoros Vardinoyiannis Stadium.
Last year’s performance was on of the pleasant surprises of Greek football. The Cretan club with a solid football plan produced an excellent team and returned to the European places through the Play Offs, taking advantage of the sanctions against Panathinaikos.
If last year’s season was a surprise, what’s happening this year in Heraklion is probably the confirmation that last season was not down to luck or chance. Despite the fact that the Cretans are only in eighth place in the standings, with 19 points in 16 games, they are still in the top six and have won the respect of all and sundry as they are a team that has been plagued by injuries since the beginning of the season.
The misfortune has struck the team acutely, with coach Giorgos Simos constantly witnessing key players getting injured, in many cases seriously, and the options he has at his disposal are constantly diminishing. Despite those problems, OFI has maintained its competitiveness and its style of play. They are a team that knows what it wants to do out on the pitch and they do not hesitate to play their football against any opposition.
The trio of Sturgeon (4 goals), Sardinero (4 goals) and Neira (3 goals) have found chemistry, and they are the spearhead for Simos’ team, with Neira also being the top creator of the team with three assists. In the match against PAOK, OFI are without nine players due to injuries. Those are Sakor, Marinakis, Felipe, Mingos, Mellardo, Nabi, Giannou, Nikokyrakis and De Guzman.
