Galery

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The new soccer ace of Olympiakos Ariel Ibagaza began preparing for the 2010-2011 season with great hopes of winning the championship of Greece and willingness for European title. After successful participation in the Spanish championship the 33 years old Argentinean is convinced that the time has come to conquer the Greek one. Ibagaza is highly motivated to do so while playing with the white-red T-shirt. Moreover, it seems that it makes him pursuing his goal indeed. As he said in an interview for ΣΚΑΙ 100.3, he is especially happy to play in such a big team like Olympiakos. Respectively, the number one goal of the team is to win the championship in the country and rank in the front lines of the Europa Ligue groups. His personal dream is to win a European title.

Ibagaza, who recently became a member of the white-reds, is adjusting to his new team now. His first impressions of the atmosphere in the team are particularly positive. The Argentinean is apparently satisfied with the aid of his teammates and the way the team plays as a whole. He enjoys the strong zeal of the players and this helps him to adapt more quickly to the new environment.
 
The 33 years old player, who played in Lanus, Mallorca, Atletico Madrid and Viyareal, stated for the media that the team is preparing hard for its future, difficult meeting in Israel. The white-reds are preparing for their meeting in Maccabi, which the Argentinean also defines as difficult. Even with the small lead of 2-1 won during the previous match on Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens, he still believes the team has a chance to take up the ranks if it continues to work hard. “For Europe, the first thing we care is to remove Maccabi and move to a further phase. I want to think positively and to set high goals. Otherwise I would not play soccer,” says confidently Ibagaza.

The Argentinean, who has taken almost all positions in the 2010-2011 season, will pass in the Greek team. He stated that he and his coach get along very well concerning his position in the team. “These days, players are required to take more than one position” – he said.

The reason Ibagaza has chosen the Greek team is somewhat emotional. He has quite fellow friends who live in Greece. They told him that the Greek championship is difficult and many Argentinian players take part in it. So, Ibagaza took Olympiakos proposal as a good chance as the team can boast not only with a good name, but with opposing end even team playing with many players. He is good friends with Luciano Galena since they both played at Atletico. He is thoroughly familiar with Oscar, Raul, and now with Riera as he has played in Mallorca with him.

Ibagaza stated that the temptations Athens can offer to an athlete do not excite him. He lived in Madrid and knows what a big city can offer. He added that he expects his family to come soon and that he is happy that they will live near the ... sea.

Ariel Miguel Santiago Ibagaza was born on 10/27/1976 at Buenos Aires. His first successful match was in 1996 when he celebrated the winning of Copa Conmebol against Santa Fe (he scored a goal in one of the games).  

He played for Mallorca in 1998 where Hector Raul Cooper was his coach. The 22-year-old player then was a favorite of all. He played 143 matches and scored 19 goals with the T-shirt of his favorite team. Ibagaza moved to Atletico Madrid on top of his career. He stayed 3 years in the Spanish capital. He played 85 matches and scored 5 goals. In 2006 he returned to Mallorca to the next successful period. He played 32 matches and scored 10 goals during the season and 32 matches and 12 goals in the next one. He moved in Viyareal in 2008 and his coach was Manuel Pellegrini. The Argentinean played 30 matches and scored 7goals with the “yellow submarine” during the 2008-2009 season and 24 matches and 5 goals during the last season. Overall, Ibagaza has played a total of 343 matches on the field and scored 33 goals in the Primera Division championship.