Greek Super League Play-offs Preview: Larissa

The last of the quartet to qualify, Larissa will be hoping to leave their mark on the Super League play-offs and earn a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

A slim 1-0 win over Levadeiakos on the last day of the season was the final prerequisite for Larissa’s play-off dream to come true. Just barely qualifying for the play-offs – which they just missed out on last year – Larissa will be keen to make amends this season.

An inconsistent first half to the season was erased when Larissa’s winter investments translated into success in the standings. The blockbuster additions of Stelios Giannakopoulos from Hull City and Sasa Ilic from Red Bull Salzburg have boosted a side desperate for European exposure.

Their chance to take advantage of a gateway to Europe – or at least the UEFA Europa League – arrives now. The Alkazar Stadium in Larissa will be a motivational venue for the Vyssini, but it will still be an up-hill battle if they are to beat the likes of AEK, Panathinaikos, and PAOK.

Capping the season with a five-game unbeaten run, it was Larissa’s determination that secured them a spot in the play-offs. Now they’ll have to groom that determination as a driving point to European competition.

Form

Mar 14.  Larissa 0-0 PAOK  (Greek Super League)
Mar 22.  Iraklis 0-2 Larissa (Greek Super League)
Apr 5.  Larissa 0-0 Panionios  (Greek Super League)
Apr 12.  Olympiacos 0-1 Larissa  (Greek Super League)
Apr 26.  Levadeiakos 0-1 Larissa  (Greek Super League)

Team News

The injury bug has taken a definitive toll on Larissa as Poland striker Maciej Zurawski and Greek midfielder Giorgos Fotakis, have been ruled out for their side’s opener against AEK this Sunday. The Vyssini camp will be hoping both players recover from their injuries in a timely fashion.

Key Player

It is very rare for a player of Turkish descent to make a desired impact in the Greek Super League, but Tumer Metin’s influence may be a special case. Having only made nine appearances all season hasn’t stopped the former Fenerbahce man from playing a crucial role in Larissa’s success this season. He scored the winner in his side’s win on the ultimate day of the season, and with Zurawski unavailable for an indefinite amount of time, Metin will be relied on to provide from the midfield.

Prediction

High hopes linger in Larissa, but their talent in comparison to their competitors is worrisome. Although their home fixtures will be closely contested, their endeavours away from the Alkazar Stadium are likely to be detrimental.

3rd Place.

Peter Katsiris, Goal.com