Some notes on Spurs loanee Anthony Georgiou’s performance against Barcelona B:

Spurs loanee Anthony Georgiou was in action for Atlético Levante on Saturday evening in the Spanish Segunda Division B Group III, when Luis Tevenet’s side took on Barcelona B at the Mini Estadi. Georgiou completed 54 minutes of the ‘ Granotas ‘ 3-2 defeat to Barcelona however, despite Anthony putting in an impressive performance it was overshadowed by the fact that he picked up an injury early on in the second half, which forced him to come off. From the 54 minutes of the game that I watched, it was a frantic end to end match. Anthony started the game out on the left wing as Levante lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The game began in disastrous fashion for Anthony’s team, after a goalkeeping error from Picón led to Barcelona striker Mujica giving the home side the lead inside the first minute of the match. Georgiou’s first involvement in the match occurred a couple of minutes later. After the Cyprus international had received Rulo’s pass on the left flank Georgiou decided to drive forward with the ball, before picking out Cantero in the middle of the Barcelona box from his low cross. However, the Levante striker was quickly intercepted by Barcelona defender Miranda who then managed to clear the ball. Levante managed to respond and after Joan Monterde managed to beat Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña from close range in the seventh minute of the game, the visitors found themselves on level terms. Luis Tevenet’s side started to grow in confidence and after Arturo shifted the ball out to Georgiou on the left flank shortly after the restart, he decided to power forwards. The nimble footed 22 year old surged past two Barcelona players before entering the oppositions penalty area where he decided to let fly on his left foot. However, Georgiou’s powerful effort on goal was blocked by Araujo before the ball came back to Georgiou, whose resulting sliced effort was easily gathered by Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña. Anthony was looking nice and sharp during the opening stages of the game and he was doing well at vacating space for himself out on the left flank. 

I spotted a good bit of defensive work from Georgiou after he tracked back all the way into the Levante penalty area to close down Carles Pérez’s space inside the box, just as Monchu was about to pump the ball into the danger zone. Georgiou bravely got himself in between the Levante goalkeeper and Pérez, as Picón managed to gather the ball however, he ended up painfully clattering into Georgiou as he did so. Levante then went on a promising attack down the other end of the pitch. After Pepelu embarked on a surging forward run options opened up for the Levante winger, but instead of passing the ball to Georgiou who had made a good run down the left side of the Barcelona box, Pepelu decided to go for goal. However, his powerful low effort failed to test Iñaki Peña and the ball went behind for a goal kick. Levante managed to take the lead for the first time in the game on 34 minutes through Cantero. The Levante striker was able to head home from inside the Barcelona penalty area after he had latched onto Arturo’s cross. However, something which may not have been picked up was Georgiou’s contribution to the goal. After sprinting across the Barcelona defenders as he made a run towards to the near post, Georgiou managed to suck in the Barcelona defence who failed to pick up Cantero who was in acres of space in the centre of the box. I thought that this was a very intelligent piece of play from young Anthony to draw in the Barcelona defence. However, Levante’s lead didn’t last long and less than three minutes later Barcelona managed to draw level through Carles Pérez. Anthony’s last involvement during the first half came in stoppage time. After picking the ball up on the left flank the Lewisham born winger darted down the flank before whipping a low cross into the Barcelona penalty area, but it was cleared behind for a corner kick by Guillem. Sadly Anthony’s game came to an abrupt end just eight minutes into the second half. The youngster had appeared to pull something in his leg as he was running, and Barcelona’s Collado then collided into the back of him. After a couple of seconds of limping about the park he then fell to the floor unable to continue.

It was such a shame to see Anthony have to be replaced with just 54 minutes on the clock, and you could tell by the look on his face that he was absolutely gutted. I am really hoping that this isn’t anything serious for Anthony who has already missed almost three of months of this season through injury. It was a sad end to what had been another very positive and well rounded performance from the speedy young winger, against a very good side in Barcelona B. Overall I thought that the 22 year old gave a really good account of himself on Saturday evening against Barcelona right back Guillem. As always Georgiou did his best to help out Levante’s Rulo at fullback even though it wasn’t always his responsibility to do so. And from an offensive point of view he created a number of good chances for the away side from his many sprints down the left flank. One thing which I have always admired about the Cyprus international is his directness and positivity while he has the ball at his feet. That side of Georgiou’s game has really helped out Levante since he joined them on loan back in January, I just hope that Anthony will recover in time to face his Spurs teammate Samuel Shashoua when Levante go head to head with league leaders Atlético Baleares next Sunday in their next league game.

Anthony Georgiou for Atlético Levante this season:

Appearances: 8

Goals: 1

Assists: 0