AEK Athens assistant coach Ilias Kyriakides has praised manager Marko Nikolic after the Greek side defeated Austrian club LASK in European competition.
Speaking on the Greek news program The Football Show on protothema.gr, Kyriakides outlined how the coaching staff prepared for the fixture and praised the squad for executing their tactical plan.
He stated that the victory represented a major landmark for AEK Athens, linking the result to historical achievements during his own playing career with the club.
Historical Context and Connection to Akis Zikos
Kyriakides reflected on his time as an AEK Athens player alongside former midfielder Akis Zikos, describing Zikos as an influential figure during training sessions and matches.
He recalled how an injury to Zikos during a warm-up before a UEFA Champions League match against Belgian side Anderlecht gave Kyriakides his first starting appearance for AEK Athens.
Kyriakides highlighted AEK Athens' famous victory over Italian giants AC Milan as the finest moment of his playing career, noting that it had stood as the club's last victory in that European competition until the triumph against LASK.
Tactical Flexibility and Player Roles
Addressing discussions surrounding team formations, Kyriakides explained that tactical systems only matter to a certain extent because every pitch contains three basic zones regardless of the setup.
He emphasized that success depends on what the coaching staff asks of individual players and how those players execute their assigned roles on the field.
Using a 4-4-2 formation as an example, Kyriakides pointed out that deploying players such as Mayer or Eliasson changes tactical demands completely while keeping the base shape identical.
He added that Nikolic chose the exact right tactical approach for the match against LASK, taking into account the quality of the Austrian opponents who entered the match on a winning streak in their domestic league after knocking out Scottish side Celtic.
Rest Defence and Opposition Scouting
Kyriakides detailed the intensive scouting report prepared by AEK Athens prior to facing LASK, noting that the Austrian team possessed a strong attack capable of scoring many goals and creating numerous chances.
Because LASK transitioned rapidly into attack upon winning possession in midfield or deeper areas, AEK Athens focused heavily on establishing a proper rest defence structure without altering their own playing identity.
Kyriakides explained that his personal role includes maintaining possession and identifying the most dangerous opposition players during transitions, calling that focus a critical element in securing the win.
Collective Effort and Team Recognition
Kyriakides supported the decision to designate the entire AEK Athens squad as the match most valuable player, arguing that modern football relies on collective functioning rather than individual accolades.
He explained that the coaching staff aims to give players freedom to apply different tactical ideas within a structured framework, noting that numerous players fulfilled those expectations against LASK.
He added that demanding matches require players to perform at an even higher standard, making overall squad participation essential.
Immediate Preparation for Thessaloniki League Fixture
Kyriakides revealed that the coaching staff began preparing for their next fixture just minutes after the final whistle blew against LASK inside the stadium coaches room.
Late into the night, analysts and coaches sat before more than two computers to review footage and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their upcoming opponents for a domestic league match in Thessaloniki.
He noted that since their earlier European qualifying victory over Bulgarian side Levski, the team policy has been to focus first on domestic league progress and second on detailed study of every opponent to show genuine respect.
Management Style of Marko Nikolic
Kyriakides expressed strong appreciation for head coach Marko Nikolic, praising his intelligence and ability to manage different personalities within the squad and technical staff.
He noted that Nikolic delegates tasks effectively based on the specific talents of each staff member, creating an enjoyable working environment that directly benefits the players on the pitch.
