Almeida: “We have a “problem”: We want to earn more”!

In AEK’s goal of winning more and more, he stood Matias Almeida at the press conference after the completion of the “double-header” derby (1-1) with PAOK.

The Argentinian coach analyzed the game, while also referring to the problems that arose with them Mukudi and Fernandes.

In detail, what Matias Almeida stated at the press conference:

A comment on the match and a comment on the fact that AEK are conceding goals from set pieces, although they also score themselves:



“It was a good fight. I will talk about my team. We tried to keep the same style of play both when it was 0-0 and when the score was 0-1. The difference between the two groups in numbers was small. It was an even game. We came to play in the same way as in home matches. We pressed, we had control and through control we wanted to create phases to score. After our goal in the second half, the game became a bit more complicated. The two groups were less clear. It was more of a battle, finding a static phase to exploit. It is true that we have scored a lot from set pieces. As it is true that we have also conceded goals from static phases. This is what I am trying to analyze. It is one of the points we need to improve. So any team that has areas for improvement, that means they have room to improve. If we need to improve more then we will. We did enough defense in the static phases. But the opponent who has some evidence also plays. That’s why I say it was a nice game. But I like how AEK played. Was this match a kind of… final. We don’t celebrate the grade. We came to win and we tried in every way».

If AEK won or lost the match because they conceded the goal in the final?



“As we said today in the game we lost the possibility of being first. It wouldn’t change a thing if we were first. We know very well that this will all become clear in the playoffs. These teams raise the level of Greek football. Obviously I would have liked us to have won. That’s why we came. But we are on the right track. We are doing a similar route as last year. So I can say that I accept the result and I would like to repeat that this is in favor of Greek football because four teams are fighting until the end».

If AEK has an advantage in the league because it has no other obligations?



“I don’t believe that. There are many matches, but the rosters are also good. I wish we could have participated in another event. I would be very happy. When we were in the competitions, before we were eliminated, we never used it as an excuse. Because this will all become clear in the playoffs. And there the truth will become clear».

About Pinedas and why he went right at the end of the match? What was his thought in getting him off the shaft?



“The first explanation is that Rota was in yellow. When Constantelias entered, we know his characteristics. He is agile and skilled with the ball. Rota would be exposed to a possible red card. Pineda has played right back again. One more player with some technical characteristics could be added, like Ljubicic. They are a bit more aggressive. We were winning, I didn’t want to back down. 15 minutes left. What I understand, because I’ve played football and sometimes a mistake can, in such a dynamic game when a defender comes in costs him. He forces himself into this rhythm. I thought of all this in… milliseconds. Many times one can make a mistake and sometimes it can turn out to be good. However, we managed to limit Konstantelias a bit. Today he didn’t do what we are used to him doing. All our changes were aggressive. During this time the game stopped being played down and it was a bit confusing».

For the fact that AEK always goes for victory and plays for it?



“Yes, it’s a style of play we want to recommend and we manage to do. In general, when someone goes to a club, a project is set up and it takes time. The opposite is happening to us… We won some things and now we have to keep them. But we have a “problem”. We want to win more! So we will continue to be competitive until the last second we have the chance. This is AEK and this will be AEK for some time».

For Fernandez and Mukudi who stayed unless it’s something serious?



“Mukudi was a bit irritated in one area. It might have had to do with fatigue. So he didn’t train and wasn’t available. For Fernandes we all know he was out for six months. It is normal to feel some pain when picking up a pace. They will be available this week. They are both important».

For the fact that AEK finishes the derbies undefeated in the regular season, does it say anything about the Playoffs?



“What I do is live in the present. When I arrived, if I’m not mistaken, AEK had 11 games to beat PAOK. The story changed. I look at the present. Starting to think about the Playoffs, for me, means I’m going to spend energy that I don’t need to spend. So we have to finish what we are. We should respect the opponent we are playing and try to beat them. When we get into the Playoffs, we know what it is. It’s for… cardiac».