The Pavlidis paradox: goal rush in Portugal, drought for Greece

Pavlidis has scored 19 goals in 19 Benfica games this season but hasn't netted for Greece since September; he faces Netherlands in Nations League.

Vangelis Pavlidis is in exceptional form at Benfica this season, having scored 19 goals in 19 official matches across the Portuguese league and Europa League. The 27-year-old has netted 11 times in the Primeira Liga and eight times in European competition, helping Benfica sit second in Portugal and top their Europa League group with four wins from four.

However, the contrast is stark at international level. Pavlidis has not scored for Greece since September 2023, when he headed in during a World Cup qualifier against Belarus. In his last 12 caps—including four as a substitute—he has failed to find the net across 668 minutes, managing just five shots on target from 19 attempts.

In Greece's previous meeting with the Netherlands in October, he fired one shot that did not trouble keeper Bart Verbruggen.

With Pavlidis substituted early in Greece's recent Nations League matches and withdrawn at half-time against Germany, questions linger over manager Ivan Jovanovic's confidence in him ahead of the upcoming Nations League fixture in Amsterdam, where the striker will be chasing his 62nd cap.