Almeida: “We respect all opponents, but we want to write our own history”

Statements ahead of AEK’s home derby with Olympiacos, on Sunday (12/3, 19:00) for the 26th matchday of the Stoiximan Super League, granted by Matias Almeida.

The “two-headed” coach emphasized that he respects Piraeus like all their rivals, adding however that his team wants to write its own history. He also emphasized that he has studied the “red and whites”, while underlining that it is possible that everything will be decided in the last game in the playoffs.

In detail, Matias Almeida spoke to Cosmote TV about:

-whether the derby with Olympiakos means something more than three points:

“This is the last game before the play-offs. The last game happens to be a derby. We give our “battle” together with other teams for the top. Wins are always important. But it does not mean that a result will change anything for the future, it is possible that everything will be decided until the last matchday».

-whether AEK will try to play their game and not adapt to the opponent:

“We can say that we had a little time ahead of us to prepare, to train because we had the game in midweek. And we will see tomorrow (i.e. Saturday) if anything will change».

-how AEK is in terms of physical condition, given that it has in front of it the last of the three games it was called to play within a week:

“We have made some changes in some positions. We have brought back some players who were injured. And we will try to finish this first phase of the league. To try to be ready for the play-offs. I think our players know, we’ve talked a lot. There’s the physical part, but there’s also the mental part».

-Olympiakos’ competitive situation:

“The opponent has been well for some time. He has changed his game system. As I have said again, he has a very good coach, he has very good players. And it’s one of our rivals that has history. We respect him like all opponents, but this group here wants to write its own story. We are very convinced, we know what we want. It is not the case that the opponent is playing well in the last two games, as many say. He has been playing well for a longer period of time, I analyze him, I study him and if I am not mistaken, he has gotten many positive results».