OR AEK welcomes Olympiacos on Wednesday (02.04.2025, 20:30, Newsit.gr) in the rematch of the Greek Cup semi-finals and the 6-0 he met in “Karaiskakis” and the Matthias Almeida He spoke to Cosmote TV about Opap Arena’s match, but also about what preceded, against PAOK.
Matthias Almeida stressed that AEK would fight to the end, playing for her pride, made it clear that she is accepting the criticism she was being exercised, but continuing to dream and give the love she feels in the Union.
At the same time, the Argentine coach acknowledged his superiority Olympicmaking it clear that the whole will fight to improve to reach the desired level.
The statements of Matthias Almeida:
Having now analyzed the game against PAOK how do you explain the AEK image difference from the first sixty minutes of almost absolute domination, what followed after 2-1?
I think it’s football. We were in the process of making a great game. We were precedenced well. Then there were some errors in actions that we had discussed, we had trained. And through the self -criticism we did, we concluded that one of the points is that we did not know how to manage the momentum, that is, the moment and pace of the game. But it wasn’t just sixty minutes. The team had some more good times, but now all is covered by the end result.
In your days, AEK usually reacts after negative results. It currently has four consecutive. What is the way to get out of this difficult situation?
The analysis I do is not always based on the results, because the results were really negative. With the exception of 6-0, then the team in all the games were competitive with everyone. In the previous one, we were ahead of the score, so the reaction appeared, but it was not imprinted on the end result. But obviously we live in a world -based world. It’s respected. But as a coach I can’t just keep this part of football. The team finished the first half at an excellent pace, entered the second half, created opportunities, scored a goal. I count all of this, I can’t keep only the three actions that have been made three goals. But obviously and I accept criticism, I accept the sadness. But that does not prevent me from continuing to work, keeping dreaming, continuing to give all the love I feel for this club.
At the moment, the championship seems to be lost, but there is a second -place claim, which may not be a goal that touches the world, but it is important, in the sense that it gives up to three opportunities for participating in a European League Phase next season. Is the acceptance of reality the “secret” so that AEK can recover and finish in 2nd place?
We always work to be champions. As a footballer I had the opportunity to be a champion in several teams. And as a coach in three – four different clubs. Every preparation I make, I start it and dream of winning everything, all the events. I never prepare anything to get out … Thursday. And that’s why the defeats hurt us. To this question, I believe that all the coaches who work to achieve something would have the same answer, that they are working to win. Then there is reality in football. There are times when teams are good. There are times when teams are characterized by a stability inside and outside the field and there is a union. There are times when you can win games from some actions you create in the field. This gives you the result you want, but it also gives you further confidence. But we also have to recognize that sometimes things are not as one thinks they see them. We all want to be champions, we all dream of being champions, I don’t sleep. But in football everywhere mistakes are paid dearly. In the World Cup, in the Champions League, in Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, China, Greece, Spain, Italy. Obviously the one who will win the championship will have made the least mistakes. They are processes, it takes time. The Greek Championship is a difficult championship. The form of the Greek league makes it even more difficult, because you are coming to an end and you have to play a continuous derby. I, for my part, give as much as I can, until I can’t give more. And I always understand and see when things go well and when they don’t go well.
It is fundamental to be able to see the mistake. I only discuss this place with the players. Because I would never expose footballers from my team. Because, in the end, I am the one who chooses eleven. So there is a large proportion of responsibility for me. And then the responsibility comes their own. So, I talk to them, knowing both the pros and cons. And in this way I try to create football teams. We are all together in good and we have to be all together in the bad ones. This makes a football team.
You have a 6-0 rematch against you against Olympiacos. What mentality should AEK fight?
We will get into playing the game, unfortunately we have to turn a 6-0 one, it’s very difficult. But we start and play for our pride. And then we see how the game will go. As for us, I know there are many who are waiting for us to be kneeling, but we will fight to the end. There is a reality to this day. Olympiacos is the best team. And we have to recognize it. We have to work for the future to be better than this team.