Almeida: “We are talking about strengthening the team, but I am happy with the players I have”

In detail what Matias Almeida said to the press representatives:

-Has the basic preparation stage been completed, how satisfied are you, if you saw what you expected to see and what was the development project?

“We were able to develop – we improved things in all the training sessions with all the distances, meters, kilometers that I personally thought we should do. We managed and achieved the work methodology I had in mind. It’s a similar preparation to last year. The internationals integrated very well, but there will be strong training in Athens as well, as we are definitely missing some things. But really, I liked the mood of the players and it showed from the way they worked, how everyone helped the team, even the staff, which is very important for me.”

-We liked what we saw last year, should we expect it to be longer, faster and more intense this year?

“I can vouch for something similar. If we do the same, we will be competitive. If we can be better at some things it will definitely be better for us. When you have won some things, it is not easy to have the same performance. That’s why I said in previous statements, that I have closed the doubles book and the only thing I wish the players to think, is exactly what I think too, that we always want something more. And for this we must work, be humble and united, knowing that it will be a long year. We must all try to realize that we are starting from scratch again.”

-In the last two matches, we saw an image of readiness, which elements do you want to add and which to correct?

“You who have been there since the first day know that we now have to relax the work. Now, we won’t do two double trainings, there will be one training a day, knowing that everyone is going home. We are in the summer season, we all need a little rest, so I think that everyone’s intelligence will be important to continue on the path we have set. But I’m happy with the work done in Holland, happy with the training, with the image, the matches we played and it certainly seems that there is an idea that is being maintained”.

– AEK was known by the opponents, are you worried that they might try to copy you, what role does this play in your plan?

“I personally want us to continue the work we are asked to do and to be focused. If the opponents, whom I always study and respect, go to copy us it is good. On a personal level, I couldn’t copy anyone, when you copy you are empty of emotions, personally I can’t see it that way”.

-The targeting of the question had more to do with the fact that the opponents might be adapting to AEK?

“That may be true, it is true, but it does not concern me. It has to do with our own work on the field. If you think about it, in the play-off and Cup games, we faced the same opponents and we always played the same way. Also, not only they will analyze us, we will also analyze them”.

-In addition to Pizarro, we are also talking about a stopper in terms of transfers, is the central defender a priority for you as well?

“It is one of the points where we would need to improve the central defender to be more competitive. We were in discussions with many players, the management made good proposals but they chose some other places to go. I always agree with the idea of ​​not bringing someone just to say we did. Because I always like to build a player, for example in the friendly against Shakhtar we saw a youngster join the team and also I can clearly have a player and use him in two positions.

I have discussed with the management, we are in constant communication, so if a player comes who is ready, competitive, if he is a player who will need time or may not be ready to adapt to our system, I prefer to use the existing players. I think that the club and I believe that the players who will come and be called to play, it should be difficult to play in AEK. In other words, to be competitive”.

-We saw fullness, we saw an impressive picture with Shakhtar, the transfers are coming… Many people are wondering who will play first?

“There are three more weeks to go, during this time I will observe everything and the way the players breathe. I notice everything, I note everything, that’s the competition I want to have. The first one to make a mistake will be me, because I make the decisions and choose those who will compete, but whoever gets selected then they will have to do everything to keep their place, I need them all to be good as and last year, where everyone participated in the games”.

-Without telling us names – unless you want to – in the contact you have with the administration, do you have information if in the next week or ten days one or two players will come?

“I don’t know to mention days, we are in search so that we can strengthen the team with something good. But I repeat I am happy for the players I have”.

-A few weeks ago, Mr. Melissanidis said about 4-5 transfers, is that close to the number that you also agree with?

“If Mr. Melissanidis himself agrees.”.