Almeida’s decision on Mukudi will determine the defense for the derby with Panathinaikos

Judging by the total suspension function of AEK in the first two games of the championship, against Lamia and Volos, the “yellow-blacks” were not put under the slightest pressure, they did not give gifts to their opponents like they did last year and they conceded a goal described by those as “rare” and difficult to avoid.

Basing himself on these facts, Matias Almeida is considering handing the starting shirt to newly acquired Arold Mukudi, who has certainly come to the team to become a regular, in next Sunday’s game against PAS Ioannina.

He has been at Union for two weeks, is fully fit after training at St. Etienne and is waiting to be deployed. With Leoforos’ first derby of the season against Panathinaikos following the game against Ioannina, it’s a crucial decision.

To play in the derby, the fierce Cameroonian striker needs to have at least one game on his feet or it looks like he’s a huge risk without having picked a single game for the trio alongside Vida and whoever else as a stopper . Or next to only Vida, if Almeida prefers a defensive line with two stoppers.

In short, Mukudi needs to play with PAS to get a starter shirt in Leoforos. But who is left out? Almeida states that he is completely satisfied with the presence and function that Vida, Tzavellas and Hadjisafi have together to date.

It’s something he said in a training session recently, so in his opinion, maybe there’s no reason to change, but to continue that pattern to get even better chemistry between them.

The dilemma and lack of height

If he decides to use Mukudi as a starter in the match against PAS, he will have a big dilemma regarding the formation of the trio. He delights in the depth Tzavellas brings to the defense and Hadjisafi’s sweet left foot, which is also quicker than the Greek stopper.

If the Cameroonian occupies a position as a central stopper in the trio, he will have to choose between the two above and the various elements each of them dictate from the outset in the implementation of the lockdown plan and also the ‘building’ zone.

However, there is another parameter to consider here, which Almeida seems to weigh before making his final decision.

AEK is a relatively small team, they are clearly behind in height on all lines and that has to be taken into account in view of the derby on the Avenue, against an opponent who will have the outstanding Magnusson in the back, they are dangerous in defense with the very air capable Schenkefeld and Kourbelis and generally shows ability in the sentence phases.

The tallest defender – and overall player – in the formation used by the coach in the first two games was Domagoi Vida, at 1.84 tall.

Of course, it is primarily about positioning and overall marking in the setting phases to eliminate the danger, but the buoy also plays its role. Something only Mukudi possesses in the existing squad.