Tsintotas covered Stankovic in AEK and “lowered” Tsiftis

Σανiσανan Stankovi επισs return plan after the necessary knee operation turned out to be absolutely correct! AEK had decided to play with Panagiotis Tsintotas (on December 11th) in Tripoli and carefully count the days of the Austrian’s recovery so that he is definitely ready for the fight with PAOK on Sunday (January 9th).

Perhaps, even within the team, they did not expect such a reaction from the Union’s second goalkeeper. But one of the team’s negative protagonists last year, whose appearances had worried him so much that AEK was looking for a foreign key goalkeeper for the summer transfer period, withstood the demands. Not only did he do it, he honestly managed to be one of AEK’s most outstanding in the four championship games he played, with decisive interventions in key points of the games.

In the last of them, at Lamia headquarters, he was the one who held the zero in the first minutes of the game and then the one who kept the team calm on the defensive while the hosts pushed for A and before the draw Union found their second goal to the “clear” game.

He was confident in his bets and improved significantly compared to the previous year when he had to play ball on foot. Clear evidence that he has worked with particular focus on his weaknesses and continues to do so.

Tsiftis and Athanasiadis

Tsintotas’ response to the increased demands when he was called up to replace a goalkeeper who had an excellent presence and was, in fact, MVP in AEK’s victories over Panathinaikos and Aris, reduced the discussion about Astera’s Tripoli goalkeeper Antonis Tsifis significantly, which data concerned the Union and indeed very intensively. This happened because confidence in the team’s second goalkeeper was severely shaken after his presence last year.

One could argue that Stankovic’s operation provided the right basis for a review of the situation. Tsintotas – with the exception of the mistake in the second cup game against Kifissia, in a meaningless game and supported by Latsi’s equally poor calculation – went famous and put a brake on any thought that immediately needed reinforcement in the position of goalkeeper.

This does not mean that the Union has withdrawn its – still philological – interest in the talented 22-year-old goalkeeper of the Arcadian team, but there is no longer any need for pressure or haste. We must also not forget that Asteras is not a team that offers players without high financial advantages and Tsiftis has a contract until 2025.

Then there is George Athanasiadis, who is doing well in Moldova and until he submits a purchase proposal from a foreign club, he will remain in the team until summer 2023 and with a much higher market value than on loan at the time.

Everything Tsintotas created with his performance could have had a positive impact. The fact that Stankovic started training a few days ago, in combination with his own adequate reaction, was quite possible to give him a key position in the derby with the team from Thessaloniki. Basically, it was worth it! However, the postponement of the game due to the incidents in the Northern Biceps changed the data and the general discussion.