The reasons that kept the “blue and yellow” away from the coveted title
APOEL did not manage to cut the thread first in the championship race despite entering the Playoffs in a leading position. A lot of mistakes were made and the “blue and yellow” are asked to learn from them in their attempt to return to success.
The coveted trophy did not finally return to the hands of the Nicosia team despite the enormous effort and will of the entire club. Since the start of the season, APOEL has been constantly in the hunt for the title, despite falling behind and being punished.
Despite the fact that they managed to enter the second phase of the championship with the “cushion” of two points, he didn't cut the cord first, finishing second which gives him a ticket to the Conference League.
The advantage he lost
At the start of the playoffs, APOEL had 59 points, two more than AEK (57) and six more than Aris (53). In the premiere, they were faced with Omonia, with whom they were tied 1-1 when Nikolas Panagiotou equalized for the “greens” in the 88th minute. In general, it was a bad result for Milojevic's team, however, the main contender AEK lost in the “Arena” to Apollon and the difference remained the same.
The “white” draw with Paphos in GSP in a game where the “blue and yellow” could even lose the game.
Although even after this tie they had the upper hand, APOEL was walking on a tightrope, as they had no room for another loss, since AEK did not win, but Aris did, who gained ground every matchday.
. The GSP was home in every match, with the crowd supporting Milojevic's team in every way, but on the pitch the big “weapon” and the dynamics of the capital's pitch were not exploited in the slightest.
Four games with just one win, two draws and one loss is a tally that only a title cannot give.
Always the stadium of the capital has given extra momentum to the team, however this year this was not the case.
p>
The January transfer window
In recent years, APOEL receives extra momentum from the January transfer window. Several times players came to “Archangelos” in the middle of the season who made the difference and brought the title to the “blue and yellow” camp.
This year, however, something like that did not happen since, apart from some flashes of Ben and Makeda at the beginning with the “blue and yellow” shirt, they did not manage to have a similar continuity along the way.
The African man suffered from frequent injury problems, something that did not allow him to find a rhythm, while the Italian striker, who came on loan from Ankaragutsu, did not convince in almost any game that he can make a difference in the team.
unlike most games where she excelled in tactics and management, it didn't help her to the same extent in the season finale.
At the time when APOEL was looking for victories in the consecutive derbies of the playoffs, the image it produced inside the playing field did not testify to a team that was looking for “three points”. it was distracting the team. The placement of two forwards (Kvilitaia – Makeda) showed that it did not work out for him game by game, but even yesterday the “blue and yellow” coach believed in this duo.
Another piece is the unwarranted decline in team performance from one point to another in important games. Both with Omonia and with AEK in the “Arena”, the “blue and yellow” had the lead and in their attempt to maintain it, they retreated on the pitch and gave the opponent the opportunity to play their game. In both of these cases APOEL was deprived of four points.
these problems could not be swept under the 'rug'.
It was clear that from one point onwards the strength left the team, which appeared tired psychologically, physically but also affected by the many injuries to key options.
Both the absence of Donis, who on his day could make the difference, as well as Vigiafanes, who gave something extra to the team's midfield, cost APOEL. Equally important were the absences of Wheeler and Susic who were essentially the team's main backs and due to their serious injuries, they were unable to help out.
The management's debt < /p>
Obviously, APOEL also made many mistakes to lose this year's cup. Mistakes on the part of the coach, the players, but especially the administration. The next day dawns with many open fronts in the Nicosia team that the decision-makers are asked to solve and carry out so that the team can get back on its feet.
The financial “brachnas” remains and is the main concern of of people in the group who in turn must immediately find a solution. Otherwise, the “hole” will grow and things will become even worse.
