A strong message for Greek football was sent by Matias Almeida commenting on the decision in camera.
“Playing football without people is like playing in the square with a friend. Football is with people, football is a spectacle, football is art“, emphasized the AEK coach, who underlined that the said decision is also paid by teams that are not to blame, including the small ones that are supported by the tickets. “Before a European game they killed one of our fans and everything went on as normal. Then things happened which did not affect some decisions. We told our people no sparklers, no fireworks and our people did it“, he added.
From there, he also referred to the “Union’s” away game with him Panetolicoon Monday (18/12, 17:00), while regarding his team’s European presence, he characterized it as a unique experience, adding that there is pain in the ranks of the “yellow and black” for the exclusion but that next season this AEK will be better.
In detail, Matias Almeida spoke to Cosmote TV about:
-what this year’s European experience leaves for AEK:
“A unique experience… That’s why it hurts that we were left out. I, like everyone, wanted us to be able to continue. But I think the image of a very competitive team remains. Surely next season this AEK will be better».
-whether this year’s European nights increase the desire, through the championship, for AEK to be in Europe again next year:
“I wish it was tomorrow! But this is a “wound”, which is now closed. We are always ready to give our “battle”, we must be ready for next year. We should be ready».
-the game with Panaitolikos:
“First of all we will have to see who will be available, see how we will build the team. As far as the opponent is concerned, it has improved a lot. As I always say, all games are difficult. We will not change the game system».
– the condition that has been formed, now, with the games behind closed doors after the relevant government decision, even if this is a disadvantage for AEK, a team that, especially at home, has learned to play in a full stadium:
“I believe this affects the world of football. There are families who wait for the weekend to have fun by going to see their team. This from joy, takes you straight to sadness. This decision that has been made has hurt some who have done absolutely nothing. Because here they always think of the big teams. And what will become of the smaller groups? The teams that live and are supported by the tickets? I declared a while ago that I am one of those who “fight” for a better football. Playing football without people is like playing in the square with a friend. Football is with people, football is a spectacle, football is art.
We too will have to play with one less player. But some may find this convenient… We are always eleven plus one. We will feel the impetus of our world outside the field. But this decision seems unfair to me because it concerns some people who have done absolutely nothing.
Before a European game they killed one of our fans and everything went on as normal. Then things happened, which did not affect some decisions. We told our people no sparklers, no fireworks and our people did it.
So, this decision hurts them all. And it hurts Greek football itself more. We should think about this because Greek football has a very competitive league. Five, six teams really compete with each other. These situations also lead to the fact that footballers who might want to come to Greece, no longer want to».
Source: Sport Fm
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