Tripolis caught in Denilson dream

By: Peter Katsiris | December 18th, 2008

Asteras Tripolis shocked the Greek Super League last season when the newly qualified club surged near the top region of the table in its premiere season in the Greek top flight. Fast forward to this year, and Asteras is not glowing with the same success. Instead of reproducing their dark horse performance from last year, Asteras finds itself in the opposite position; desperately holding on for Super League lives.

Though some might expect a club in Asteras’ current position to be in serious trouble, but the only diagnosis for the Arcadian club is ending up on the wrong side of close score lines. With an abundance of matches on the road, Asteras has fared well in the hostile environments of the Giorgos Karaiskakis Stadium (Olympiacos), OAKA Spiro Louis (AEK and Panathinaikos), and the Toumba Stadium (PAOK).

Inconsistency has been the Achilles heel for Asteras, as a 2-1 loss to fellow relegation battlers Iraklis is the most recent unfortunate event for Asteras. Playing at home to Iraklis, Asteras gave a disappointing performance to lose a match they were expected to win.

With a new manager in Nikos Kostenoglou – who replaced sacked manager Carlos Carvalhal just over a month ago – the winter transfer window is now time for Asteras to pack reinforcements for an uphill battle. Setting the stage, the Greek media has not been shy to link Asteras with several capable footballers, including two former Super League stars.

The most prominent headlines circulating in and around Tripoils these days include Brazilian midfielder Denilson. Currently playing in his native land with Palmeiras, the retired Brazil international has only made two career moves to Europe – first with Real Betis, and then to Bordeaux. According to the Greek press, a third move to Europe is in store for the Brazilian with Tripolis keen to lure the Brazilian to Greece – a favourite sprouting site for Brazilians.

Another Brazilian, but a more familiar face, Julio Cesar has been targeted by Kostenoglou’s staff. The former AEK midfielder currently applies his trade with Rapid Bucuresti in Romania, but a winter swoop for the 28-year-old could see Cesar return to Greece after just six months.

Another Super League graduate, whose stay in Greece was shortlived, has provided plenty of excitement for Asteras supporters. Tomasz Radzinski left from Skoda Xanthi this past summer and joined Belgian club Lierse; however, Radzinski could also be returning to Greece months after his departure as the Canada international has been linked with a move to Tripolis. The former Everton and Fulham striker was not afraid to voice his opinion on the Greek game in a somewhat discontent interview with Belgian football magazine SPORT FOOT.

The rumors in Tripolis will continue to be speculation, at least until the transfer window resumes on January 1^st. While transfers will be dealt with off the pitch, one more match ahead of the winter break will be Asteras’ main focus heading into the weekend.