Almeida: “I have a contract until 2028 and I rejected proposals – We are already too many for one event”

Clearly disappointed, Mr Matias Almeidawhere sent unity message in his first statements, he emphasized at the press conference after exclusion of AEK from Europe that he believes in the team’s project and for that, after all, he has a contract until 2028 and reject proposals from other groups!

Among other things, he stated that “apart from the forward we are looking for, it would be a mistake to bring other players” and added “we are too many for one event“, announcing departures!

Everything Matias Almeida said in detail:

If there is a big uphill ahead for AEK and how difficult it is to change the situation.

“First of all good evening. The first thing I want to make clear is that I accept criticism, I always do. This is what I live for. There is constructive criticism and there is… destructive criticism. I don’t agree with the last one. I accept criticism, I have learned to listen. I criticize myself both in victory and in defeat. We were not able to qualify for this event that I personally very much wanted to stand out. The starting point in the racing part is not the best. And it showed tonight that we didn’t qualify. Because of the attitude, the mood, the ball that we were constantly looking for and it was impossible to succeed. But we obviously lost the qualification in the first game.

Regarding what I’ve said about the last two years: I said we were competitive, making mistakes. But we were competitive. In football we have to accept things. For me on a personal level, no one will change these two years and what I have experienced. That’s why I don’t believe in the stars, but in everyday life. The hard day causes me a lot of pain and I don’t sleep for days. This is one such day. What I can say is that I’m sad that we didn’t qualify. It doesn’t change the way I work, because if there was a renewal until 2028 it wasn’t because of the team’s performance in one game. Or that I turned down proposals, it’s because I believe in the club and I feel comfortable here. I remember things both in victory and defeat. I’m not looking for excuses. We were left out because we had a bad game in Armenia. Today we gave everything, we didn’t succeed. In the 2nd minute we had a chance, then a crossbar. We had moments. I want you to criticize me and not my players. If you want to criticize, do it to the coach. With truths…»

About AEK’s difficult night, the boos at the end from the crowd, how he received it and if he wants to tell us what he said to his players when he gathered them in the center of the pitch.

“That we must endure sorrow and that we we transformed the bad things that were happening before my arrival. We applauded them. So today we gave it our all. Be calm, but of course this exclusion also hurts. We wanted to continue. We ache for our world. We are sorry for the administration. So in victory and defeat as long as you are united it is better. We can say that every person’s reaction is respected. I’m not here to judge. In two years we have lost few games. We have to see things in depth, in a sadness that we have. It is respected. Both reviews and insults are respected. It will all come back…»

How easy or difficult it is for AEK to recover its psychology in a short period of time.

“We will initiate changes. Rotation. I wanted with all my heart to be in this event, because there are many of us. I know what it means to participate in a competition, until the Cup starts and you have 30 or more players. It’s complicated. They know this is the way AEK plays and it will be better. It is a lesson, that we cannot relax even for a second».

If he has recognized a downward trend of AEK and if so, where do you owe this. And to what extent does AEK pay for not having a replacement for Levia Garcia?.

“Regarding the first question I can say that it was difficult for us in the first year to surprise and get two titles. The second year we were in Europe and we were competitive in a tough group and we got knocked out. In the Cup we were eliminated on penalties and the championship was lost in the last minute. Now we have been eliminated in the first competition, while the other one has not started. Let’s wait and see where AEK will end up. And it is possible that AEK will end up high. For Garcia, it makes sense to lack competition. We still haven’t found the player who hasn’t come. I have options to play like we played today. With Zuber. And he scored. And also I got to see some guys from the second team that were training. And there will be some time for them to get time to join us. It’s not an excuse. We continue to look for opportunities. We have tried with some but they did not want to come but we are still looking for competition for Levi».

If there will now be a need for transfers or if there can be departures.

“I believe a position to have competition is the “number 9” position. Another position we were looking for at some point was left back. We thought about him Pelionbut now that I put him in he couldn’t finish the game. It is important to have two players in each position. In some positions we have more. Everyone should be ready and competitive to wait».

If AEK appears at the beginning of the season both last year and this year not as he imagines. Last year Antwerp, now tonight. If there is a problem with how the team gets this far with the preparation.

“Of course there is an issue. In every preparation. In the first preparation I had all the players with me. In the second and third no. It’s a problem. If I want it to be dynamic and aggressive and there are internationals and they come back after a while and turn slowly, yes there is a problem. In this year’s preparation you saw that I had players from the second team. I’m not saying that as an excuse, but it was reality. We had planned for some players to do kilometers. They didn’t do it because they were international».

Unless there is a transfer to another position, there must be a departure.

“There are enough of us, it’s true. We are many for one eventit would be a mistake to bring others. To bring forward he will have to be competitive with Levi in ​​the position. Behind the striker three will play, two will be on the bench, a back, a midfielder, a defender should be on the bench and the others will be left out. That is why it was very important to be able to continue in Europe. It was a matter of honor and I’m angry that we didn’t make it. Now begins a process where decision-making will be important. It definitely opens up my options and I can make more mistakes. I hope I don’t. In football when things are not going well the one who stays off the bench is the best. We should be strong, united, try to conquer again the world that is important to us. I’m not tired of talking about his energy and I won’t change my mind. Today it is me as a coach, but there is a story. None of us are above them. There should always be union, says the second letter in our name. It will always be positive to be united for all those who rejoice with the negative result of AEK».

If he wants to send a message to the world.

“It’s not like I can send a text when the team wins. When I lose I feel like the fan. My feeling in this club is growing, not because of financial interests. I have been a coach in places. I am now in a place where I want to live. I want to turn it back to how we were a month ago good. What I have tried to convey to everyone is respect for the club, love for the club and a winning spirit. That’s why we always try to play this way. Be high. Both we and the players have played for the people who have lost their lives. We are not always happy with football. It is natural that we are not always happy. We are the first to get upset. One defeat can bury you! The worst thing about a loss is that you feel alone. And I don’t like that. I accept criticism and heartbreak because we are all the same. We will move forward together and the world is fundamental to us. He supported us throughout the match tonight. You saw that the players tried. People are very important to the club. I’m not talking about me. I may not be. But the team’s motto says it: “Union”.

On how he finds personal motivation to overcome European ban and how to pass that on to the players.

“If you take 90% of the careers of players and coaches you lose more than you gain. I have been used to this battle for 15 years. It’s inside me. it annoys me I feel like kicking the walls. Yesterday I saw the final of the Super Cup Real Madrid-Atalanda and I seem to have aged because I remembered that I have conquered this trophy. My desire is to win trophies as a coach as well and it hurts. From 12 o’clock onwards I think about what will come next. Mistakes we’ve made, we’ve said, they happened. Unfortunately he can’t change what happened. We must look ahead and be selective in our decisions. I will try to be».