THE Chisan Stankovic saw this year… the back of Giorgos Athanasiadis in terms of the hierarchy in her frames AEKwith the Austrian goalkeeper making just 14 league and cup appearances this year.
Granting an interview to Meso of his hometown, the 30-year-old goalkeeper of “Union” talked about the experience of these two years at AEK, but also for the future of the wealthy of Greece.
As he characteristically stated, the people of his team made it clear how will remain on the roster in the new season, emphasizing how target his is none other than to become o again main goalkeeper of “Enos”.
Chisan Stankovic’s statements in detail:
On the fact that he lost the position of the main goalkeeper at AEK: “I didn’t stop playing for competitive reasons. I had coronavirus and then the team had a good run. It’s awfully hard to get back in. But the fact that I was given the opportunity to play in the Cup by my coach, that shows that he believes in me and has me in his plans. It wasn’t easy. But if you’re not focusing on your work and wondering why you’re not playing, then you’re wasting energy. Of course he’s pissed off at first, but you have to accept it. The coach is the boss. For me it was important that I got games in the Cup, even if I didn’t play in the league. It was also important to train well. Everything comes back to you in football if you prepare properly, even if you are not playing.
In the second season at AEK I lost my place in the league, but won the Cup. Of course I would also like to play in the league, but I am excited because the two titles we have won are something incredible. I’m still part of the team. The Cup title means a lot to me. I would have liked to have played more, but I know that things in football evolve quickly and we will see what the future brings.”
For his future: “My attention is on the team. I want to be a starter again as soon as possible. If I succeed, I can return to the National team. The coach showed that he trusts me. He gave me the opportunity in the Cup. Matias Almeida is a fair coach. It rewards the player if he trains properly. The situation I am in is not new. I was the second goalkeeper at Salzburg and I waited a long time for my chance. I still have two years left on my contract, I play in a top club and I have no intention of leaving AEK. I was informed by the club that they have me in their plans for next season. I play in a top team that will participate in European competitions in the new year. I want to be number one again and leave my mark on AEK. That’s why I’ll keep fighting.”
To win the doubles: “At the beginning of the season, a new coach came with a new football philosophy. The team was rebuilt. My first season was disastrous for the team. We finished fifth, got out of Europe and there were changes. But in the end it was the right decision. The way we started the season nobody thought we would win the double. Panathinaikos started with a winning streak and we were eight points behind. But then we started our own streak. The new stadium was a big advantage for us. At the beginning Panathinaikos was the best team, but in the playoffs we were the best. We didn’t lose a game and conceded few goals. We deservedly won the title and then the cup.”
On whether winning the Cup was something special for him: “Yes of course, when you play the feeling is different. I didn’t play that much in the league, I had coronavirus and then I had some muscle problems. I was a bit unlucky there. That’s why I took my chance in the Cup and made the most of it. It was very important for me to win the Cup.”
On the problems he faced in his first season in Greece: “I had to have meniscus surgery in December. Then it took me three months to come back. That’s why I only had 23 innings. I was unlucky. It took a little longer to come back probably because I was playing with a meniscus problem for two months. I couldn’t go on like this, I had to have an operation. It took me longer to get back. In the end the season was a disaster because we finished fifth. For the first time after many years, AEK did not manage to go to Europe”.
About life in Athens: “The sun shines 365 days a year. It is no coincidence that people come to Greece for holidays. I have the opportunity to play football where others go on vacation. This is an advantage. Salzburg of course is also beautiful, but Athens has 4 million inhabitants and is huge. The quality of life is high. If you’re even playing for a top team, there’s nothing better. I always liked to play somewhere by the sea. And the opportunity arose at AEK”.
For fans in Greece and friends of AEK: “The Greek fans are something different for their passion. If you have the opportunity to see a derby, then you should do it, it’s something special. Especially in derbies, the stadium turns into a furnace. I’ve never seen that before in my life. In Greece, fans are prohibited from going to away games. In derbies when we play Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, 5,000 people wait at the hotel to cheer on the team. The bus is surrounded by fans, who accompany us. It ‘s crazy”.
On whether he has spoken to the coach of the Austrian national team, Ralf Ranking: “No. The last contact with him was when I had signed for Salzburg. But I get it. I don’t play as a starter in AEK. If you do not compete as a starter, you cannot enter the National team. It was a very right choice by the Austrian Federation to choose Ranking as a coach. I saw the match against Belgium, unfortunately I couldn’t see the one against Sweden. You can tell that Ranking fits this team 100%. All you have to say is that they brought such a coach to the Austrian national team.”
On the fact that he was left out of Austria’s squad for Euro 2024: “It really hurt. That was one of the reasons why I didn’t want to play in Austria anymore. I didn’t want to have anything to do with football in Austria at that time. I was mad, I was sad. I passed all the qualifiers and just before the Euros I was ignored. Before my injury I was number one in Austria. Then within a year it was as if I was tenth, despite the fact that I continued to be a starter at Salzburg. That hurt me and it will hurt me for the rest of my life that I couldn’t go to the Euros. But now I have to look forward and live with it.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
