Defensive function is key for the Blue and Yellow
Everyone at APOEL has focused on the double matches with Ghent and the team's goal of entering the Europa Conference League groups. Sa Pinto and his colleagues have studied the Belgians, creating the plan for tomorrow's match.
Ghent is the favorite as it is superior to APOEL in almost all areas. You want to get it financially, you want to get it from a roster point of view, the Belgians have the upper hand. However, the Blue and Yellows have a rich history in Europe with qualifiers against opponents just like Ghent.
On the purely competitive side, Sa Pinto's big bet is the team's defensive function. The Belgians this season have 25 goals in 8 games and with the likes of Orban and Kuipers, they look all-powerful in attack. That's why a lot of attention and concentration will be needed in the defensive part. Overlaps, runs and aggressive defense.
In essence, APOEL's goal is to keep Ghent to zero, which if it does will lead the case to qualifying for the GSP, and there of course will increase his chances to find himself in the groups of the Conference League.
