AEK was the big winner of the Athens derby, winning 2-0 (29/09) against Panathinaikos for its 6th matchday Stoiximan Super League.
At the press conference after the final of the match, the Argentinian spoke about the importance of today’s victory (29/09), but emphasized that the championship is still at its beginning.
What Matias Almeida said in detail:
About the game and his outburst at the end of the match. If he felt a relief for the victory and if he saw the team bring out things he wants in their game?
“First of all good evening. I think it was a good game. We played well. As for the second part, I don’t have any… relief. I work every day. I spend a lot of time. Sometimes things go well, sometimes so-so, but with one win I can’t say that I felt anything different, because I would be entering a system where you chase success and I don’t want to be part of that. We played well and won a derby. This”.
Where was tonight’s game decided for AEK?
“I think we always try to play the same way. To be an aggressive team, that takes risks, that persists and sees how the opponent plays. I’ve seen good things in other games and things that need to be fixed. But we are still at the beginning and this will always happen in the last second of the championship.”
How does he feel that Piero “bonded” with the team so quickly?
“First of all I am happy and happy for the team and the people. Piero’s goal gave happiness. he is here with us for two weeks. We’ve tweaked some things to fit into his own gameplay. The players have understood very well the work we have done these days. As a coach you have to give tools to the players. He has been with us for a while. Some players can spend their whole lives in one club and not score in a derby. And tonight he made his debut with a great goal. And it wasn’t just the goal, but everything he gave. It is very difficult for such a body to move for 98 minutes. He also gave his soul. Working as a team makes us happy.”
For AEK’s defensive plan that was also read against Ioannidis and Tete?
“We always try to analyze the opponents. Tonight the players had a great game. They are two players with quality, who create danger and are high in the hierarchy. For me, Ioannidis is one of the best players in the country. He was tagged by a player called Vida who has played in the World Cup. Who has a medal in a World Cup final. So this player must have something and today together with Cullens they showed what level he is at. Also Pelios reacted against Tete and these small details make the difference in a game like tonight”.
About AEK’s absences and at what level the team is now based on what he wants. Also, for the first few minutes with the referee’s attitude and the yellow cards the German gave her?
“Regarding the first question, there are players in the rehabilitation phase. Most likely this week we will have most of them available. As far as Martial is concerned he will need some time to adjust and hopefully it will happen soon. Mainly in the fitness part. When he came to three days he was vomiting and had a problem with his stomach. He couldn’t train. I’m not talking about arbitration. I wish I didn’t have to talk all season. My mood is not to talk about the arbitration.”
What did the AEK players do tonight that they didn’t do in the match against Kallithea?
“Football is a dynamic game. A game that is difficult to repeat some actions, strategy, moves and many more things. That’s why it’s so beautiful. Every day surprises us. We are people who see it with a positive sign, although we know that not all things work out for us. It’s hard to play a game and then play it again the same way. Let me explain: if you sit down and look at the two games in depth, it’s that the previous opponent played differently than tonight. We had chances to score and today the difference lies in the goals. If tonight’s match ended 0-0 it would be equal. Obviously there are different features there. The previous one was not a derby. What one always wants is for players to react and operate in the same way whether they are playing with their child, with their friends, with each other, or playing a derby. When we coaches manage to change the way they think then the teams are competitive. Our team has been competitive for three years now. And we must continue like this. Surely the next game will be different.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
