Almeida: “It was important for the history of AEK to win, Rota is fine”

Happy with the way AEK arrived to victory facing Aris, with whom Matias Almeida celebrated her 100th birthday perfectly.

“Today we played like we used to play, but without mistakes. The players made a huge effort. Today more than ever we had to win for many reasons: it was the club’s 100 year anniversary. It was important for the history of AEK to win tonight“, pointed out the Argentinian technician at the press conference.

“It fell a little backwards. It hit hard. It was a hit. But it’s fine“, pointed out the 50-year-old technician about the harsh marking that Rota received from Odubajo.

In detail what he said:

A comment on the game and what happened yesterday afternoon in Philadelphia – How did you feel about the event and its relationship with AEK and its world?

“First of all good evening. I was happy with the result tonight. From the victory, but also the way we got the victory. Today we played like we used to play, but without mistakes. The players made a huge effort. Today more than ever we had to win for many reasons: it was the club’s 100 year anniversary. It was important for the history of AEK to win tonight. For our world, for all this world that has passed in the past, so that we realize that in this club every player belongs.

As for yesterday it is always touching to see families on the pitches. It makes me happy to feel part of this family. I enjoy these moments and that I can live them. Many times in my life I think about more things. This … depth shows me to see things more clearly. When I do this, sometimes I see them more clearly, and there are other times when it makes me sad. Yesterday was not easy. In 100 years they will remember that it happened yesterday! I think when AEK was founded they will think about what would happen in… 100 years. Many times people only live in the present. The selfishness that many people have… I think a lot more. In these 100 years, many coaches have passed, many good players, many people who would like to see what the club is like today. A world that has won titles. This excites me. History also dictates the future – at least as I think of it. I look at my past. I was happy when I had a plate of food. If I were that person looking back and in a short time back, now that I am well dressed, the simplest thing would be to forget where I came from. My parents gave me values. And a club gives you these values. Looking back and looking at the past helps you look to the future, but not to the immediate future – as far as your nose is. The future is huge. Like the sea. It is up to us to make history. And to finish, because I said enough: I will always be grateful to the world of AEK because they appreciate me as a person. It is one of the greatest loves I have received in these 30 years. Looking back, how can I not be grateful when they give me food? Even when the results are opposite, my way of thinking will not change. Our world has a unique energy».

From the 60s to the 90s, AEK made a final effort. It has not received a final from Mars, but it has no substantial phases. If he worries about him and what happened with Rota’s injury?

“Regarding the first question, we made a huge effort to score the first two goals and we could have done more. At halftime we said that we learn from our mistakes. Recently we were winning 2-0. Against us is a team that is in the final and is playing good football. It was a breakthrough for us. I would have liked the team to score more goals, but I am happy that we didn’t concede a chance to score, showing security in our defensive part. We’re talking about football. I don’t know if you watched the Champions League matches this week? There are mistakes. I watched Napoli – Frosizone today. I like to watch football. To learn. Frosinone drew against Napoli and if you see the goal, all the coaches are talking about it. These are things we discuss. But either the attacker is better, or a mistake was made.

For Rota: it was a quick action. He went strong. He fell like that because he is used to playing as a right back. It fell a little backwards. It hit hard. It was a blow. But it’s fine».

What were you thinking when you blew out the candles on AEK’s birthday cake yesterday?



“I only have thoughts when I’m blowing out candles. Unfortunately thoughts are constantly running through my mind. Maybe we shouldn’t think so much. I live this job with passion, though. I am grateful that they give me a job».