Volos did not end last year in the best way. Six consecutive defeats and a draw in the league, elimination from the Greek Cup, a change of coach, tension and a few dismissals would be the way to sum it all up in a few words.

With the arrival of the new year, however, it seems that the club has begun to find rhythm again. With the home victory against Panathinaikos (3-1) and the recent win over Apollon Smyrnis (1-0), they remain at a safe distance from the lower echelons of the standings. Out of 17 games, they have 21 points and have recorded six wins, three draws and eight defeats.

In the Greek Cup, the Magnesia team did not manage to excel. Although they beat Panserraikos in the knockout match, they were eliminated by Panathinaikos by an aggregate score of 1-2.

Coaching change

Young Spanish coach Guillermo Abascal left Magnesia after four successive negative results in the league and his assistant Konstantinos Bratsos was called upon once again – like he was last year – to help out as interim boss. The 45-year-old coach, who has been at the club in the technical team for the last two years, will coach the team at least until the end of this season.

Van Feert with a starring role

Tom van Weert is the club’s top performer by far this season. The Dutchman has 11 goals in the league, having completely filled the void left by the departure of Douvikas over the summer.

Bratsos has plenty of quality in his squad which features the likes of Bartolo, Ferrari, Romero, Regattin, Oroz and Purita.

Reinforcements

The club has already been active in the winter transfer market with three new additions, the first one being the 21-year-old Cypriot stopper Christos Sielis from Levski Sofia. This was followed by 28-year-old Finnish full-back Nikolai Alho, who left MTK Budapest, and the last to be announced was 28-year-old Argentine winger Jorge Korea from Neftsi Baku.

Finally, Jean Barrientos, with 10 appearances and two assists, will continue as a Volos player until the summer of 2024 after signing a new contract.

The latest news

As for today’s match against PAOK, the Greek coach can not count on Kotnik, Rienstra and the newly acquired Alho, due to injuries, but Riner returns to the squad.

Volos squad in detail:

Kleiman, Papadopoulos, Purita, Gulen, Romero, Riner, Ferrari, Tsokanis, Barrientos, Soares, Fernandes, Bartolo, Oroz, Regattin, Sielis, Terezio, Rosero and Van Weert.