Vangelis Arnautoglou writes about AEK’s escape from Vikelidis with the double and the big matches to come, starting with this one against Panathinaikos.
I would like to know what Matias Almeida said to them in the dressing room during the second half.
I also wish I was in Thessaloniki to ask him exactly what his reasoning was for lining up the team in a game without tomorrow, in a match where only a win would keep AEK on the title track with a strong chance, choosing this midfield duo (Jonson – Szymanski) who creatively limps so much.
They are both excellent as defensive midfielders, each has their own good qualities, but as a duo there is a certain weakness that reflects on the whole team. Good growth.
Almeida was there, I was in Athens, the time is no longer there to stay behind, although at some point we will have to ask this, so that we can also learn his reasoning, as he is a man who explains everything.
I am sure, however, that in order to present in the second half a nuclear AEK will have to leave them a lot.
Everything needed to wake up their egos and let them understand that they cannot do anything more by leaving Vikelidis defeated or even with a draw.
Whatever he told them, he caught
AEK is still a team with specific problems, but also a lot of potential. He convinced them to display them against an opponent who was playing for his honor, but for no other real motive.
A team that gave a normal fight to counter and take points from the Union, an opponent that had an amazing night with its substitute goalkeeper, who found himself through the window in the lineup and played the game of his life.
This is football and AEK almost lost a significant part of its chances of winning the title, because of Houtesiotis. Well done, great game indeed!
Amrabad broke the Gordian knot
And conversely, thanks to Amrabad, this 37-year-old teenager who played all of Mars by himself, finally managed to break the Gordian bond of the second half and get the three points against the team that kicked them out of the Betsson Greek Cup this year and deprived of the first place in the league standings, in the last match of this regular season.
An amazing game from the Moroccan who deserves a contract in AEK for one more season. And let’s talk about it again next summer.
Everything now for AEK is the home derby against Panathinaikos (17/04). With those who will be available, as the loss of Gacinovic and the new injury of Garcia create insecurity and questions ahead of Wednesday.
Surely, however, those who will fight will make the effort required, the sacrifice of soul that must be made for the team to take this game, the biggest of the season until the next one.
Three derbies to come, two wins needed. It’s not easy, it’s not impossible. If he gets them, AEK will be champion again.
Next Sunday (28/04), we will know.
