AEK: Almeida isn’t worried about Araujo because his role is being fulfilled based on a plan

There is an explanation for everything in football as long as you look at the big picture and not just the microcosm of a situation that makes you think there is a problem where there isn’t.

About what – allegedly – should worry Almeida in relation to the role of Sergio Araujo. Before we wrap up about the Argentine’s new multi-purpose position, let’s consider how he got there.

Many therefore say that he should be closer to the area, not stray so far from it, be closer to the goal.

At Livadia, for example, there were moments when he seemed to act like a second central midfielder, sometimes even further back than Simanski to get balls. In the past, that was indeed a problem. He is now a linchpin for how the team works under Almeida’s clear leadership.

Based on the acknowledgment that Araujo has never been a super scorer in his career, a fact evidenced by his harvest in his good and full seasons in which he averaged 11-12 goals, we should note his permanent tendency to do well move, don’t miss, outside of opponent’s area.

Indeed, in earlier periods he seemed to do so casually. Anarchy, with no specific tactical guidance from the bench and no specific tactical plan for everyone, not just him.

The point is that Garcia scores and later Van Weert

In the season he won the championship, there were many games in which Livaya was 9 more than him, despite the fact that none of them is a pure range forward.

Now, Araujo’s penchant for getting too far out of opponent’s frames makes sense and is being pursued by design. Almeida has recognized this and worked to ensure that the Argentine is essentially an all-round attacking midfielder and not a classic second striker stuck behind the box.

The coach himself explained it after the end of the game in Livadia:He does a lot of work for the team and gives a lot of love. He completely understood how we want to push. Maybe he’s missing a few goals but I’m sure they will come”.

So if the coach applauds and the team is rewarded with that choice, there’s no need to worry. Still, Araujo has its moments, along with its occasional dystopia. But this is a common and established situation in his career.

And one more thing, just as important. AEK are now playing on a clean ‘9’, Almeida is dead in for Levia Garcia and his goals confirm that. How many teams really play with two forwards and the second one gets stuck in space forward? Few, maybe none at the major category level.

It is therefore of greater importance for AEK that Garcia finds the net with continuity and consistency, clearly and Van Weert when called upon to play at the top. Araujo, let him do all the other jobs because he does them very well. And let him score less, eventually he’ll find some 10’s again.