Flares are in in Cyprus
After a stuttering start, Everton have won 2 on the bounce and hope to make it 3 against Apollon Limassol. Are the Cypriots an easy game or a potential banana skin? Find out in this preview of Thursday’s Europa League clash.
Apollon Limassol were founded in 1954 to promote athletics and education to its members. It only took Limassol 3 years to be promoted to the Cypriot first division and they won their first trophy, the Cypriot cup in 1966. Like Everton, the 70s were a barren period for the club but they had great success in the 90s under German coach Diethelm Ferner, winning the league twice and another cup.
They also beat an Inter Milan side starring Dennis Bergkamp at the San Siro 1 nil, a famous match in their history. Their last league title was in 2006 but they have won the Cypriot cup in each of the last 2 years, qualifying for the Europa League.
They are managed by their former goalkeeper Sofronis Avgousti, who made 135 appearances for the club over 3 spells. The former AEK Athens custodian appeared 11 times for his country and has guided his hometown club to 2 cup wins over the last 2 years.
The shower from across the park signed Allan Rodrigues de Souza in 2015 who has been loaned out to various clubs. He made 15 appearances for Hertha Berlin last season. The 20 year old left footed midfielder is yet to score for his new club so he is odds on to score at Goodison.
Former Getafe and Hercules forward, Adrien Sardinero sent the Tsirion Stadium into rapture with an injury time equaliser against Lyon. Limassol also knocked out Aberdeen and blog writers’ nightmare FC Midtjylland in the qualifying rounds.
Everton are without Oumar Niasse after he was left out of the Europa League Squad. To be fair, it looked like he was off to Palace at that stage while we were fluttering our eyes at hunky grocks Giroud and Costa. Koeman indicated in between contemptuous shrugs and sighs in his press conference that there were unlikely to be many changes. Keane and Jagielka are both missing but it will be interesting if Jonjoe Kenny starts instead of Martina. Sandro Ramires may also get a run out instead of DCL as he looks to acclimatise to the club.
You’re having a laugh aren’t yer?
Whilst it’d be natural to think that this was the easiest game in the group, Apollon shouldn’t be taken lightly. Their result against Lyon, albeit with a scruffy goal, shows they can cause problems. The fact that a Lyon side featuring ‘thank God we didn’t sign’ Memphis Depay only scored a penalty hints at a well drilled side.
Everton aren’t really in a position to chop and change as they look to rebuild their confidence after the start from hell. In particular, Siggy and Klaassen could do with more game time to get to know their teammates better. Tom Davies is also hoping for a start after changing the game with his sub appearance against Bournemouth. Everton need to be aggressive in their football as they were against Split in the first half at Goodison. If they can replicate that performance, the 3 points will be theirs. If not, qualification becomes a whole lot harder.
How do you think the game will unfold? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below.
Everton's latest late escape, (let's not call it a great escape, there's nothing to be…
Everton have to rebound or reboot after last season's relegation battle. The Street End looks…
UTFT It took Rafa Benitez to become Everton manager to bring me out of semi-retirement.…
Football's not a matter of life and death. It is far less important than that.
Everton FC's shocking performance and lack of character at Anfield has led to fierce criticism…
With Marco Silva odds on to become the latest casualty of the Goodison Park transfer…