Lambros Balafas writes about AEK who displayed last year’s image with the suffocating pressure that suffocated Panathinaikos and the calmness of Matias Almeidas who leads the Union close to a second straight championship.
AEK had given rights to challenge it. She herself… destroyed them with the most decisive victory of the season against Panathinaikos. It was a long time when Almeida’s team showed signs of fatigue, they had many players in a bad … moon and most importantly, a big difference compared to what they presented last year, but they saved the best for the most critical moment.
Panathinaikos went to New Philadelphia with claims, it was fresh, it had psychology and many of its protagonists at the highest point of formation, but not just passed under the… bar, but experienced a humiliating defeat, the Union did not leave him any room, the … choked, footballed him… bowling.
Last year’s champion appeared
The first quarter was enough for anyone to understand how passionate, how ready AEK was for what was to follow. As if watching last year’s champion, Almeida found the … button again, turned it to … factory settings, his team “smothered” the greens. Jonsson and Szymanski closed every corridor to Athanasiadis’ home, created a large shield.
From the moment there was no Bernard opposite, the unpredictability was lost for Panathinaikos and Callens made Ioannidis look… earthly. I will also add the poor contribution of Bakaseta, perhaps influenced by the harsh reception that the AEK world gave them as soon as he set foot in the OPAP Arena, he also remained in the… shallows.
Without its constants, the “clover” had no pulse, it had the image of a team that simply played to get the job done and not of a team that… is dying for the result.
The suffocating pressure and the weak link Akaidin
The work was quickly simplified, almost with the help of a cross. The pressure towards Panathinaikos was suffocating, Akaidin proved to be a weak link, every time he went out of the area to follow a player, he lost duels, fell behind in speed and left spaces behind him.
Eliasson was reading the game, appearing in places where he could create imbalances in the green defense. He stole balls together with Pineda and Ponce, they “hit” at the right time, they caused huge problems in the guests’ plan.
Under such conditions and… if the two teams had played for ten halves, the result could not have been different. Perhaps AEK’s victory would have been bigger, nothing better, nothing optimistic for the “greens”.
Almeida’s calm brought vindication
There are no magic… wands. In difficulties, under pressure, in defeats, Almeida remained calm. He was patient, he obviously knew that his team would react, he was vindicated solemnly.
I personally say it every time, the coaches are the ones who know best, they see a lot more than a 90 minute that we see. And to put into the equation the many injury problems in this long year, it was more than difficult, the… straight line on the cardiogram.
The championship is not a speed race, it takes endurance, it takes faith, a strong stomach on bad nights, immunity to… pointless and superficial criticism. The coach of AEK having a first year full of successes behind him, had the patience to wait to have the last smile this year as well.
The cup remains New Philadelphia
Yes, mathematically nothing is over, but let’s be realistic. A look at the competition is enough. Panathinaikos played its… rest last night. He had his chance, he threw it away, he blew his chances.
The 3rd PAOK has… lost his memory, looks exhausted, without energy as Lucescu and his players admitted. Olympiacos looked more convincing than the previous two at the given moment, but he also “burned” his… canon at “Vikelidis”, I take it for granted that he will then exclusively focus on the two historic matches with Aston Villa, with obvious goal to get him and 3The European, the largest since the day of its foundation.
You understand correctly, I believe that the championship does not change hands. She lives in New Philadelphia, she lives in AEK, she had the endurance, the ability, the power, to prevail over her opponents. He can’t just make mistakes until the final, the lead he has to manage is huge, he has experience, quality, knowledge and Almeida…
