Some notes on Spurs loanee Anthony Georgiou’s performance against S.D. Ejea:

Spurs loanee Anthony Georgiou was in action for Spanish club Atlético Levante on Saturday evening when the ‘ Granotas ‘ took on S.D. Ejea in the Spanish Segunda Division B Group III. This was Georgiou’s fifth appearance for Levante’s B team, and under difficult conditions, the 22 year old put in another good performance for the third division side. The Cyprus international completed 71 minutes of Levante’s 1-0 win over Ejea on Saturday, Georgiou started the game out on the left wing as Luis Tevenet’s side lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It is worth noting that Ejea have an astro turf pitch at their Municipal De Ejea stadium, and this would have made life more difficult for young Georgiou out on the left flank. The Cyprus international started Saturday evenings game well and after some good, early pressing Georgiou managed to put the ball into the back of the Ejea goal, with less than three minutes on the clock. After making a good run into the Ejea penalty area Georgiou was able to meet Shaq Moore’s cross inside the danger zone before heading the ball past Ejea goalkeeper Eduardo Loscos and into the back of the net. Unfortunately for Anthony the referee had already awarded a free kick against Levante, and Georgiou’s goal would not stand. The game was pretty scrappy during the opening stages of the first half. After Anthony had received the ball out on the left flank he decided to whip a teasing ball into the Ejea penalty area. Georgiou’s cross was an excellent one, and it managed to pick out centre forward Juan Delgado. The Spaniards bullet header was spectacularly saved by the acrobatic Eduardo Loscos, before the Ejea defence managed to clear the ball away from the danger zone. A couple of minutes later Georgiou went on an excellent sprint through the middle of the pitch, all the way into the centre of the Ejea penalty area where he attempted to meet Juan Delgado’s low cross. However, it was cut out by Ejea defender Andriu before it could roll through to Georgiou. The 22 year old was playing with an energy about him which I couldn’t see from any of the other players on the pitch. He was also getting himself into some good positions out on the left flank, and in the danger zone.

After entering the Ejea penalty area the ‘ Granotas ‘ centre forward Juan Delgado tried to pick out Georgiou after he had made a run towards goal, at the back post. However, Delgado’s cross was punched away by Eduardo Loscos. The Lewisham born winger continued to have a positive influence on the game. After being given the ball by Arturo Molina out on the left wing, Georgiou tried to whip the ball into the danger zone but it was blocked by Ramón López before the ball came back to Georgiou. The young Cypriot tried his luck once more, but his resulting cross was again blocked by the tigerish López. Anthony was proving to be somewhat of a focal point on the left wing for Luis Tevenet’s side. Shortly after receiving Pepelu’s pass, Georgiou whipped the ball into the Ejea box but it was cleared away by Andriu. A couple of moments later the hard working winger tracked back some 40 yards down the left wing to successfully win the ball off of Ramón López on the edge of the Levante penalty area. Georgiou then went on a surging run down the left wing before passing the ball to Pepelu. Shortly before the end of the first half Anthony managed to control Shaq Moore’s long pass out on the left wing. Georgiou cut inside onto his right foot as he attempted to bring the ball into the Ejea box, but he was intercepted by Kevin Lacruz before he conceded a foul against the Ejea right back. That was to be Georgiou’s last involvement in the first half. Anthony managed his first effort on goal shortly after the beginning of the second half, after he managed to latch onto Pepelu’s pass down the left side of the Ejea penalty area. Georgiou managed to get the ball out of his feet before letting fly on his right foot however, his powerful low effort was saved by Eduardo Loscos who managed to keep hold of the ball. The game continued to slow down as the second half went on. After Delgado had received Manuel Viana’s pass down the right side of the Ejea box he attempted to cut the ball back to Georgiou who had made a darting run towards the back post. However, Delgado’s pass had far too much pace on it, and it ended up evading Georgiou.

Young Anthony saw very little of the ball during the remainder of his time on the pitch, and in the 71st minute of the game he was brought off by Luis Tevenet. The ‘ Granotas ‘ would go onto win the game 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Aitor Pascual in the 81st minute. Considering the poor quality of the pitch I thought that Georgiou did a very good job for Levante. Georgiou brought a lot of energy and positivity to a game which was very slow and laboured. Apart from going on some good attacking forays down the left flank, Anthony whipped some quality crosses into the danger zone. However, it was his excellent tracking back and defensive work which impressed me the most on Saturday evening. This was another impressive performance from the 22 year old who seems to have adapted well to life in southern Spain. Georgiou will miss Levante’s next game as he will be away on international duty with the Cyprus national team for their two important Euro 2020 qualifiers against San Marino and Belgium. I am hoping to be able to watch both of those games. I would like to wish Anthony all the very best of luck for both of those matches. At just 22 years of age the Lewisham born winger has already won two caps for his country!

Anthony Georgiou for Atlético Levante this season:

Appearances: 5

Goals: 1

Assists: 0