Almeida: “Home punishments are like missing the cake from the party – This applies to the injured and Eliasson”

OR AEK undeterred by the downpour in New Philadelphia or the stoppage time, beat Athens Kallithea 2-0 to close the gap on the leaders again Olympic to 3 degrees.

After the match, Matias Almeida spoke at the press conference about what he liked about the performance of his team, about the situation of the injured and his case Niklas Eliassonbut also for the punishment of its headquarters Union.

Almeida said in detail at the press conference:

Despite the many changes and any absences, we saw a very good performance and scoring opportunities. Your comment on the game?

“Good evening. Yes, I think it was the moment to give playing time to some guys, because the two matches were close in time. Also to see players in other positions. Once again we have shown that this group has an identity. And the truth is that they did very well.”

About the different positions played by players as he said and what stood out? If a new solution was found?

“As you have seen, Szymanski has played as a stopper several times. He plays well there. You might have been surprised by left back Gacinovic. Talking with him we practice some movements. We said it’s time and he wanted to try it himself, to see if it’s a solution. He’s fast, he doesn’t tire, he’s aggressive and I think he’s one of the players who understands better than what we ask. If we exclude the red card, he played an excellent game, because he does not tire of going up in attack. We saw a defender step into the area. He doesn’t get tired.”

A comment on the league battle and any transfer developments?

“As for the first question, I saw the last minutes of his game. I didn’t see PAOK. I found out at the end of ours. I don’t spend energy watching this though. There is time ahead and I prioritize my team. I don’t know anything about transcripts.”

What do we expect from returns with Vida, Cullens, Mukudi. And what about Eliasson, since he’s in some missions and some isn’t.

“Regarding the first, Vida this week I believe he will join the training of the group. For Mukudi we will wait and see how his ankle reacts. For Cullens it is a matter for the doctor to explain.

For Eliasson, it’s simple: He had offers from Brazil. They told him that there was a big offer to buy him and obviously when he makes a big offer, his salary would be higher than it was at AEK. I want to have the players free from these thoughts. From these negotiations you lose his concentration. I was a player too. It’s a matter for him and the club and a solution can be found.”

If he himself has given a deadline as a coach to clarify the situation with Eliasson?

“I’m not saying anything. What I have to say is that I try to focus on team training. I’m not as involved as I used to be in this out-of-game thing. I have given my opinion to the owner and that’s the end of my work”

For the punishment of the headquarters of AEK two more matches?

“It is true that the crowd once again filled the stadium. We responded. Then everything that happens because there is a cracker and people don’t go to the stadium is like missing the cake from the party. We didn’t throw a firecracker in our own stadium. I don’t agree with that. It damages the spectacle and football and when we, as protagonists, consider that it is… normal what is happening then we do not help. People should be in the stadiums. Nothing happened in our stadium. I don’t understand it. Like I don’t understand other things… But I focus on other issues.”

For the departures of Amrabat, Galanopoulos, Tzumber, even if the roster is at the number he wants? Or will there be more departures?

“The players circled and left. There are managers here. There is the owner. I focus on work”