World Soccer - UK (2020-12)

7

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Lastseasonprovedtobeawonderful
exercise for fans of theErythrolefki.They
strolled to their first Greek Super League
title in three years, lifted the domestic cup
and enjoyed themselves in Europe too,
memorably seeing off Arsenal in a last
16 Europa League tie. In theirlast seven
Champions League campaigns,however,
they have only reached the last16 once.

How did they replace full-backs
Elabdellaoui and Tsimikas?
In a short-term move, they went the oldie
route, recruiting 36-year-old ex-Greece
left-backJose Holebas from Watford and
right-back Rafinha (ex-Flamengo and
Bayern), who is only12 months younger.

Over the last four years, Russian champs
Zenit mainly had to make do with the
bread and water of the Europa League.
Last term, they were at last re-acquainted
with Champions League caviar, but found
it hard to digest, finishing bottom of their
group behind Leipzig, Lyon and Benfica.
Coach Sergei Semak may have the finger
pointed at him if Zenit flop again.

Can Malcolm resurrect his fortunes?
The€40m man was sidelined for several
months last season with a hip injury, and
he missed the entire Champions League
campaign. Now back fit, Semak may use
him as a No.10 behind twin-strikers Artem
Dzyuba and Sardar Azmoun. All depends
on the Brazilian’s desire for redemption.

The Austrian champions have lost an
inordinate amount of attacking brilliance
in the past12 months – Erling Haaland,
Takumi Minamino and Hwang Hee-chan.
Such a substantial loss of ability would
have blunted the cutting edge of many
clubs. Yet under the stewardship of US
coachJesse Marsch, they still continue to
go forward with flair, menace and verve.

Who are Salzburg’s newcomers?
The only acquisition of note was defender
Oumar Solet, 20, whom they bought for
€4.5m from Lyon. The France U20 ace
suffered a cruciate ligament injury late
last year but, following extensive physical
examinations, Salzburg decided to swoop.

OLYMPIAKOS

Greek champs in need of a better showing

RB SALZBURG

Stillstrivingafterlossofattackingtrident

ZENIT

Semak revitalising Russian champions

Man mountain...

Pape Abou Cisse

Net-buster...

Patson Daka

Target man...

Artem Dzyuba

COACH

Sergei Semak

Replaced Roberto

Mancini in 2018.

Astute tactically and

very intelligent in his

man-management.

KEYMAN

Dejan Lovren

The Croatian has a

tough job replacing

former back-line rock

Branislav Ivanovic.

YOUNGSTER

TO WATCH

Danil Krugovoy

Douglas Santos has

switched to the centre

to make room for the

attacking left-back.

COACH

Jesse Marsch

May well find himself

headhunted soon.

Along with Alphonso

Davies, he is the face

of North American

soccer right now.

KEYMAN

Patson Daka

Zambian marksman

whohit27goalsinall

comps last season.

YOUNGSTER

TO WATCH

Sekou Koita

Promising Mali

striker who shone

at the U20 World

Cupin2019.

COACH

Pedro Martins

Fearless Portuguese

coach, who always

wantshissidetoplay

on the front foot.

KEYMAN

Jose Sa

Imperious keeper

who kept 30 clean

sheets in all comps

in 2019-20.

YOUNGSTER

TO WATCH

Mady Camara

Guinea midfielder

with Premier League,

Bundesliga and Serie

A teams on his trail.