Almeida: “I was pushed – I respect all people, but when an injustice is done… blood flows in my veins”

The huge tension that took place in the final of AEK’s match (3-2) with PAOK in Toumba was mentioned by Matias Almeida during his statements at the press conference.

The Argentinian coach, who was in a furious state at the time of the tension, emphasized that he was pushed and how it existed a lot of people inside the stadium, to the point that the referee, Robert Schroeder, told him that he couldn’t believe it. He also added that no one enters the OPAP Arena.

He also explained how respects all people and how he wants them to respect him too, emphasizing that “but when an injustice is done… blood flows in my veins». “My own reaction was one that I don’t advise anyone to do. I had the opportunity before to go and apologize to this man. Before I had some pushes and I will tell you that if you pushed me I would do the same to you“, he said.

From then on, he also stood at team mistakes pointing out that “when the teams are so close you can’t make as many mistakes as we did».

In detail, the press conference of Matias Almeidas:

A comment on the match and on the fact that AEK failed to win for the 12th time a match in which they are ahead of the score

“I think it was a big game today. At some moments I think we followed the wrong path, we made mistakes and I believe that PAOK took advantage of these mistakes and managed to win. This after today’s game shows the equality of the teams fighting for the title and when the teams are so close you can’t make as many mistakes as we did today. The game was up and down… I think that regarding the second question we should see in all teams how many mistakes we have made. We make mistakes, but we continue first. You learn from mistakes, but now we have to be good and win the two remaining finals. However, they are mistakes that we have discussed, that we have worked on. It is normal when so many mistakes are made, that the opponent manages to win. What remains for me to do is to congratulate the opponent on his victory».

For the episode at the end



“Did you see how many people were inside the stadium? What I always say is that if we want to change the situation, this should not happen. If you look at the AEK stadium, no one enters. Who protects us who are on the field? I really don’t care if they were PAOK fans or someone else, but whoever they were should be respected more. I respect the world, but when an injustice is done… blood flows in my veins. I respect all people and I want them to respect me. May we all never have to be upset about something happening in a stadium again. You can’t have 200 people in a stadium, we don’t play American football. I congratulated the opponent on his victory and let’s move on».

Is this a common sight in stadiums?



“You who have been in football for so many years, what do you say? Is it normal to have so many people in the stadium? I say it’s not normal. Win or lose I’m here to talk football. The referee today was German and he told me he couldn’t believe how many people were in the stadium».

For Konstantinos



“You Greeks have very good football players. He is a footballer that you don’t have time to think about what he will do. He has quality, technique and today he played a very good match».

When will the championship be clear?



“I believe it will go until the last matchday. Today we had everything in our hands but that is the beauty of football. I hope the team that played the best football throughout the season gets it».

About whether he grabbed someone by the throat and whether that was a nice picture



“The truth is, it doesn’t help. This holds football back. My own reaction was one that I don’t advise anyone to do. I had the opportunity before to go and apologize to this man. Before I had some pushes and I will tell you that if you pushed me I would do the same to you. I accept defeats, but I can’t stand someone coming to challenge me. I take responsibility for my reaction which is bad. But you have not seen the whole picture and you are not objective».

As to whether the break will help AEK at this point



“I believe that the team should do a self-criticism, both for the good and for the bad, because if we had done what we had planned today, everything would have been over. The break will help us to get some players back. Let’s say once again that the Greek league has taken another break until it ends. We will have time to prepare for the two final games».