Almeida: “We are ready, we can do it – We must not go in desperate”

The readiness of AEK for the overthrow of it Antwerp and its qualification to the Champions League groups, emphasized Matias Almeida.

The coach of the Greek doubles team spoke at the press conference ahead of the OPAP Arena rematch and spoke about what the “Union” should pay attention to. He pointed out that his team should pay attention to both not to enter desperatelyas well as the counter attacks of the Belgians.

He also praised his presence worldwhile he explained – on the occasion of the many lost chances against Panserraikos – that his team must continue to play well and that the moment will come when the goals will be scored.

In detail, Matias Almeida spoke about:

– the rematch with Antwerp: “Tomorrow’s game is a qualifying game for the groups. We have played several qualifiers both in the Cup and in Europe. The mentality is always the same whether we’re playing in a final or in the qualifiers and we hope to show ourselves worthy».

-which two words could describe the match: “It is very difficult to describe it in two words. First of all, we are at a disadvantage right now. Against a team that one of its biggest weapons is counter attacks, with the speed it has. We must not go in desperately looking for a goal. As I have told the players, we are playing well. There will come a time when we convert chances into goals and then it will be one, two and three goals. Let’s continue like this. A few days ago we were here celebrating. Our dream remains alive because we still have chances for something more. The football players are ready. We are very motivated. We will have the support of the people and it will be a very beautiful sight».

– that if he is worried that AEK has been behind in the score in all the games: “Sometimes there are some situations that we can avoid and some others that the opponent creates. I really appreciate that in the games we have played, the team uses the same system that gave them the championship and the Cup. I really appreciate it when in every match I don’t see any player relaxing. It’s the behavior we show on the field. In football you can play one phase and find a goal or create 30 chances like in the previous match and not score. What I think is that when you start thinking that things aren’t going well, then things might swell. I try to concentrate on my own work. I’ve known you all for a year now and I don’t want to generalize it, but I’ve seen some of you when we win and ask me some questions look me in the eye and when we lose they ask me questions without looking at me. We will continue on the same path, with the same intensity, the same love. We are in football to be able to make the most of it and my players know very well that when the day comes when I judge everything based on the result, I will be gone. I believe we can turn a game around, that we will be competitive both in the league and in the Cup and I always try to see the positive and not so much the negative. In life when you see the negative, then you attract it. As with the positives. But many times people see and can recognize who is positive and who is negative».

-what he thinks Antwerp’s tactical approach will be: “I don’t know, I wish I did. We will face a great team. A team that when they played with eleven they could and scored and we tried to be in control and when they were left with ten they changed the system and did well. But we were able to penetrate, we reached high in the area. From what I have seen of their previous matches it is one of the few times they have played with so many players at the back. It doesn’t match the way they play. We have to play a very good game, with intelligence, with football intelligence, with calmness, but showing a lot of passion and love. And that’s what we’re going to do. It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. We managed to be here because we scored two goals in 5 minutes. At one point in the final we were down to ten players and scored two goals. So always respecting the opponent who has very good elements (speed, vertical passes, etc.), we can succeed and we will definitely try».

-what message would it send to the world: “What I always say. We owe them a debt of gratitude. The world is important. We won a championship and a Cup and we have to continue together. I was talking about this stadium before it was even finished. And then when I was watching it with people, I was talking about the energy that this place has. Time passes and when things are gained one may think that the energy is leaving. The energy here is the same as it was the first day we were here. Because that’s how we made the difference from the rest. We showed last year that we were different from the rest by fighting on many fronts, so we have to keep it up. Let no one confuse the other. There is a team that is competitive, that honors this jersey. Sometimes he will play well, sometimes so and so, sometimes very well and sometimes badly. But for a year and a little more, the team has always shown love and respect and that gives us extra strength».

-if he imagines tomorrow another thriller until the last second: “I hope this doesn’t happen, because in the end we will all die from our hearts (s.s. laughs). If it helps us get through in the end we’ll take it. We hope that with calmness we will try to equalize the result and then it will be a normal game. But we must be calm because despair can backfire».

-whether it will help AEK that it will have more rest days compared to the first match: “Because we didn’t use excuses in that game, we won’t try to make one in our favor now either. Right now we are losing 1-0 and the game has already started. We will try in every possible way for the reversal».