Fearless: Optimism after the 2nd half with Panaitolikos and Ilic’s… few good words

Atromitos scored his first victory in the championship last Saturday (28/10), who… finally broke the pomegranate for this season. Victory (3-2) against Panetolicoon his debut Sasha Ilyich on the “blue and white” bench.

In a game that leaves a legacy for the future as well. Of course, it’s not just the three points. They also have their importance. However, at this point in the season, the need was more psychological rather than rating. Especially when the victory comes with an upset (initially) and then with a goal in stoppage time.

A stock, which also emerged from the… third half, from what we heard from the new coach of Atromitos. The 45-year-old Serb he seemed to stand more in his team’s bad spaces, than to her advantage. Would anyone blame him if he did the opposite? Probably not. It was a victory in his debut, and even with the sacrifice of his soul.

Nevertheless, Ilyich showed the… way for continuity, or rather his way of thinking: Work, work, work. Of the words/phrases he repeated two and three times. What were the others? That he looks game by game (so he doesn’t want to rush ahead, e.g. after a victory), that his team has lots of quality and how he believes in her and that in the next match – in this case with Aris in “Kl. Vikelidis” on Sunday (5/11, 20:15) – his team will perform even better.

The truth is that he was not satisfied in important parts of the match against Agriniotes. Especially in the first half, where his whole team was looking for it. Many of his complaints at the tactical level: The long distances between the lines, the minimal movements in the spaces, the second balls that were lost. An important factor, of course, was that it was also his first competitive minutes on the bench. As much as… boost a bench change usually gives (after a bad start), it makes sense not to have the proper automations at first.

In the second, the situation improved for Atromitos. He pressed more effectively, leading to ball recoveries and quick transitions, while also creating many chances. All in all, Ilyich gave a first taste of the racing elements which wants to have its whole: Pressing, extreme game (with the slash mainly provided by Kamara with his key transfers) and aggressiveness.

He worked hard on it too. Especially the change in sides, bringing (from the end of the first part) him from the right Roubaixwith the French midfielder setting his signature wide with two goals (the first a goal).

A second half that pointed out that the roster of Atromitos can perform much better compared to what he had presented so far. Besides, towards the end of the transfer period, significant (unplanned) investments were made. The Peristeri team has potential for something much better. Of course, first he has to fix competitive issues, mainly the defensive gaps he is paying for.

A coach, Ilitch, who seems that he does not like to open his cards (took him 3-4 questions to start… breaking down and getting specific regularly). He doesn’t want to reveal himself, let alone say big words. But he believes a lot in his team and his work. He seems to have high ambitions (as well as performances, despite his relatively young age), which duly factored into the selection of the Pigeons.

Of course, this is all a first reading. However, the image of the second part with Panaitolikos combined with the work “promised” by the Serbian technician, allow Atromitos to be optimistic about the continuation.