Anorthosis prepares for APOEL derby amid defensive shortages

Anorthosis is finalizing preparations for its upcoming home match against APOEL, scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 19:00 at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium. The team, under manager Nestor El Maestro, is seeking its first points of the season following a challenging start. The club recently returned to training after a rest day, focusing on tactical improvements following their previous outing against Apollon.

The squad faces significant personnel issues in defense. Defender Emil Bergstrom is confirmed to be out due to a heel injury sustained against Apollon, and Joel van Nieff remains sidelined due to suspension. Conversely, Gabriel Furtado has increased his training intensity and is expected to return to the squad, though it remains uncertain if he will start the match. The manager is currently evaluating his defensive options, as limited central defenders—namely Karamanolis and Tosic—are available, which may necessitate tactical formation adjustments.

Club spokesperson Charalambos Parpettas emphasized that despite the lack of initial points, the team has shown progressive improvement. The coaching staff is working to consolidate this momentum as the club plays its first home game of the season, aiming to deliver a competitive performance against a high-difficulty opponent.