Read everything Almeida had to say:
His commentary on the match and when he thinks AEK will find their rhythm to go on a winning streak:
“As far as the game is concerned, it was a good game. We all know the quality of the opponent. He could and went ahead. When we conceded the goal and then it was the worst period in the overall game. It was 2-3 minutes. Then we saw some important things. I think we played a good game even though several players played together for the first time. In the previous game we did not win. We are in the battle for the championship. I believe we have to continue, to improve. There are good things and others that need improvement. Like all teams, so are we.”
If he is concerned that AEK conceded a goal and didn’t convert it and this is the third time? And how did he see the duo on offense?
“It depends on how you look at it, on the first question. Today we played against the last champion and in the last matches whenever he scores he wins. I keep the way we scored the goal. There is an energy, where through a team effort, we get to the area and score. The match was equal at some moments, at other times we had the possession. You know that PAOK often has possession.
In these numbers we were a step up. There were no clear phases for goals. It was a derby and it was well played. We all wanted to win. We didn’t make it, but there are draws and.. draws. At least the way I see it, is that the team is starting to produce good things. We must continue, of course, to improve in some areas. For the two times they had a good cooperation with both Lamela and Koita. I liked some moments. Let’s give them more participation time to see how they will react and how they will endure.”
For the penalty requested by AEK in the overthrow of Baba towards Garcia. And in the final he went himself and hugged Lucescu and then everything happened. If he has any comments about them?
“No comment! You see them… And you can highlight it, just like I did back then with PAOK. When the matches are over, the first message is from my mother. I don’t know how he does it… He watches the games. Today is Mother’s Day in Argentina. With the opportunity to wish all women the best. My mother always tells me that… we play well. On the plus side, he didn’t see me engage in a… push today. For the sight, which impressed me the three minutes delays! In a derby three minutes? Playing away from home and having three minutes of delay? People come to see a game. The game was nice, but with a break. This is how football goes backwards. The world is no longer given three minutes. Especially in a derby. Three minutes? And this is said by someone who has lost a game at the end. I prefer that you play the game and not have it end like this in a mixed way… As for the rest, I have no comment”.
For his mother, even if she sometimes comments on him or says kind words to him?
In Greek it says: “Nothing”! And then he emphasizes: “A mother’s love is pure. She is authentic. I know my mother could swim the… Ocean, take me on her back now and come back. For my mother I could… ‘kill’. In quotes, of course. I’ve been away from home since I was 15. Soccer has won me over, I’ve missed her birthday, Mother’s Day. I don’t know how long this will happen.”
About Lucescu and what he said at the press conference, and if what he says can there be a rally in the AEK locker room?
“I wasn’t here in 2018. I wasn’t in the Cup in 2017 either, so I don’t have an opinion. Every time I am called to give my opinion it is to be helpful for football and in this country that welcomed me. When I think otherwise I will leave. But that’s how I act. Everyone acts as they want. Respect what everyone says. But we don’t need the words of any coach to give us… a boost. I repeat all this time that the main thing is the union. Not only among the players, but everyone who works. Every person who works in the club puts their own stone. I started working from the beginning for the Union and I will do that until the end.
I believe that we are in a position so that what we say football becomes better and not worse. I’m talking about the 2.5 years I’ve been here. I see that there is some general improvement. I might be wrong. For football, the so-called “small” teams have improved. This is one side. On the other hand there are groups that have changed the way they work and this has improved the spectacle. For me there is great value in the rise of “small” teams, because they don’t have the means to do it. On the other hand I see clubs that try to bring names, not in age, but that can change things in the teams. There are always many suggestions to us coaches. We take some risks to get more attacks. We are seeing some improvement. Olympiacos won the Conference. We did something in strong groups. This year there are some other teams that continue in Europe. Football has improved. Doesn’t it seem to you that something is… wrong here? It’s something bad! We want a football to play. I didn’t come here to ask for a penalty. I came to ask for the game to be played.
Time was not kept. Those of us who are protagonists want to play, lose, win. It can be done once. We have seen in other games that the ball goes out, there are delays. Let’s play ball and we are used to criticism. But let’s play ball. There can’t be that many people on the pitch. What will we expect? Should something happen? Do you want football to improve? Those who have identification should be on the field and I’m talking about all the fields. You can’t be in every match this thing with so many people in the bellows. It was full of policemen. When you win you go in without provoking and when you lose respectfully give your hand. Provoking is not good. We’re not getting anywhere with challenges.
I too, if you remember, was challenged and ended up being the… villain of the bunch. On the field they must be who they must be. To play football, to be given the minutes that should be played. Changes are needed. The time has come. Talking bad doesn’t help. We are in 2024 and there are wars. People die every day and they don’t know why they die. And we end a match and there are so many policemen? We don’t learn. And I put myself inside. There has to be quality, and I’m not just referring to the players. I also put myself in it.”
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.
