Aris head coach Alexey Shpilevsky confirmed that Alexander Kokorin, the Russian forward on loan to the Cypriot club, is in good enough shape to feature in the fourth round Europa League group stage clash with Real Betis. The coach spoke at a recent press conference, translating the status update given by Championship.com into the team’s plans for the match.
Kokorin had missed several games but has since rejoined the group for full training. Shpilevsky stated that the forward is ready to take the field against Betis, underscoring the player’s recovery and current fitness level as the team prepares for a tough European fixture.
During the 2022 summer window Fiorentina, the Italian club that holds Kokorin’s contract, loaned him to Aris. In his first season with the Greek side, he appeared in 27 league matches and scored 11 goals, contributing to Aris lifting the league title the previous season. This loan spell marked a period of strong form for Kokorin and helped raise his profile in European football.
At the close of the 2022-23 campaign, Kokorin returned to Fiorentina and took part in pre-season training with the Italian club. He began the new campaign with Fiorentina, who competed in the Conference League, before once again being sent out on loan to Cyprus. This successive loan move reflects Fiorentina’s evaluation of his development and the strategic use of loan spells to secure playing time and form for the player.
Earlier comments from the coaching staff had drawn attention to Kokorin’s career arc, including discussions about how external pressures and personal challenges may have impacted his professional trajectory. The latest update from Aris’ leadership emphasizes a focus on health, readiness, and performance as the team aims to compete effectively in European competition this season.