Almeida: “Olympiacos deserved to go to the final of the Conference League – It elevates Greek football”

On Wednesday night (15/05, 20:00), the leader of the standings AEK, is tested in “G. Karaiskakis” against Olympic for the 9th and penultimate matchday of the Stoiximan Super League playoffs.

Ahead of tomorrow’s derby, the “Union” coach, Matias Almeida, was hosted on Cosmote TV, talking both about the big and crucial match in Faliro, and about the development of the championship.

At the same time, the 50-year-old Argentine did not fail to congratulates the “red and whites” on their historic qualification to the final of the Conference Leaguementioning characteristically that the they deserved and how with this course they elevate all Greek football!



The statements of Matias Almeidas in detail:



Regarding whether there is anything to add in relation to the image of the match, but also in relation to the incident that happened at the end of the derby with PAOK:

“As far as the game is concerned, some moments were up and down. It was an even match, I can say. The opponent could and did take advantage of their chances, they scored a goal because of our mistake and also because they chased it.

Regarding the incident, I gave my explanations on a personal level to the person I was supposed to talk to. I believe that in life it is good to regret when you do some actions that are not good. I have always shown and continue to show respect to everyone. Obviously there were a lot of challenges that day, but it’s over now. I think it was given a lot more importance from other sides, compared to the importance given to the place where it happened.”

For his thoughts ahead of the match against Olympiakos: “It’s a key game, a derby. The opponent comes from something very important, which elevates Greek football, his team being in the final of the Conference League. And he deserved it. Now, we are talking about the Greek championship, at the moment we are first and we will try to defend this position”.

On his lack of game pace and whether it’s something he thinks about: “Right now I’m not thinking about anything. The playoffs were stopped twice. Not because we asked for it, we wanted to play. But now, at this point in time, we don’t think about anything, because there are no excuses. Now, everything that has happened belongs to the past and what is left for us is to look at the next game.”

It is a game that may decide things in the “battle” for the title. What AEK should be displayed? “We will try to see AEK, which we have been seeing for two years. A competitive AEK. An AEK that gives its “battle” in all competitions until the last minute. We hope and expect to see this AEK”.



It’s a situation where you get a championship with a goal inside, and a goal outside you lose it. Are concentration and composure the main characteristics that AEK should have against Olympiakos?

“I think all year long that goalpost allows you, when the ball goes in, to contend for a championship, and when the ball goes out, you don’t. But this is all about luck. Then there are some moments that have to do with concentration. Moments that you cannot take advantage of if there is no lack of concentration or take advantage of them if there is. And all that happened to all the teams that are contending for the championship, that’s why we have reached this moment to be all together.”

On whether he thinks that AEK is one point above PAOK and has a tie between them: “No, no, we have to play the game, see what happens afterwards, because there are still six points left. There are two games left, so we have to be focused on the two remaining games, the first one is tomorrow.”

What does he think about Olympiakos: “Olympiacos has improved a lot. It is the team that represents Greece in European competitions. Both his players and his coach deserve my respect. As far as the league is concerned, they are some points behind. But tomorrow will be a game as always. A beautiful game, a game that should bring joy and happiness to the whole world that will watch it.”