Matias Almeida referred to the difficult schedule of the Greek teams, with a derby amidst European obligations, in his statements ahead of AEK’s match with Volos for the 3rd matchday of the Stoiximan Super League.
The “yellow and black” coach commented on the importance of the derbies and the great importance for Greece of the presence of four teams in European competitions.
He also spoke about the psychology after the elimination of the “two-header” from the Champions League and the upcoming game against Thessalonians for the championship.
In detail, what he said to the Cosmote TV camera:
On what is the mentality of the team after the elimination from Antwerp:
“I think we have lost a dream, but there are new ones ahead of us. Every footballer, like us, dreams of representing the AEK team in Europe in the best possible way. And always, in life itself, as far as psychology is concerned, I try to follow the middle path. The only way to change all this is to concentrate on the Volos game and work harder. It’s the only way a footballer can get out of this situation.”
About the fact that AEK is currently “hurt” and whether it will rise to fight.
“My life has always been a ‘battle’. The life of a football player is a constant “battle” because he always has to be ready and try to improve. We had a big dream, but for some reason things happen. And now, what we will have to do is focus first on the league and then on the other competition when it starts. The regret we felt that night is because we wanted more and it wasn’t enough. Now we will have to prove that we do not come to terms with what happened. We are not in the European competition that we dreamed of, but we are in another one, which is really very important.”
On whether the Europa League group, in which AEK participates, reminds him of a Champions League group:
“Yes, that’s right, but my mind right now is completely on Volos. What we have to do in the second matchday is to go in and look for a good team performance and a win. We have time to think and discuss about the Europa League.”
For AEK’s very difficult schedule, which will have to play against Olympiakos, Brighton and Panathinaikos in one week:
“I think they could have thought it through a bit better because we have four Greek teams in Europe. To give priority to these important games, such as the derbies, and differentiate them from this week, when we will play all the teams in Europe. It would give more quality to our league. We live in a moment in which Greece is represented by four teams in Europe, so it is something important for Greek football”
For the Volos game.
“Volos has changed many footballers, we played a friendly with them. Sunday’s game will certainly be different and it won’t be easy by any means. Anyone who thinks only of Europe is wrong. Because before the first European game, we have two league matches, which are very important for the team.”
Source: Sport Fm
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