The return of game changer Amrabad with PAOK and safety on the left with Sidibe

AEK has one more training session before completing its preparations for the derby with PAOK (30/10, 7:30 p.m., COSMOTE Sport 1 and Live Sportish), the first at the OPAP Arena, where Matias Almeida sees three footballers coming to training will return and be available for the double header derby. Mohammadi, Hadjisafi and Amrabad.

The two Iranian full-backs had a good chance of being ready for this important game, but not the Dutch-Moroccan midfielder. Amrabat overcame the bruise he picked up on his left bicep from the game against Atromitos (in which he also scored the penalty that ended up winning the three points) and made himself available to Almeida despite not having many chances .

All three footballers fill the Argentine Union coach’s arsenal with solutions not for preparing the eleven but for the solutions he needed from PAOK in case of ‘bad luck’ or when the game doesn’t go the way he likes wishes . Most likely, of course, Mandalos will miss out due to the left quadriceps problem.

The importance of the return of Amrabad who has the know-how with PAOK

At Almeida, Amrabad knew from the start that his role was to come off the bench and breathe new life into AEK’s game with his sporting prowess and quality.

The 35-year-old midfielder has reacted brilliantly so far, helping the Yellow-Blacks both in formation and execution in most games he’s played, including the game against Atromitos, which he insisted on to take the penalty and was confirmed for his selection by sending the ball into the net.

However, AEK plays its first crucial match in OPAP Arena against PAOK, whose weapon is building up with pioneers Dandas and Kurtic, and they will put Almeida’s players’ effective pressing to the test.

Amrabad returned at the most opportune moment for AEK as should the game not go the way the yellow-blacks would like, the 35-year-old can change the game dates in favor of AEK as a substitute. After all, he has a positive tradition at PAOK.

In the second round of the Super League playoffs in Toumba, Amrabad hit the net in the 15th minute (ending the game 1-1). The international attacking midfielder has the “know-how” against PAOK.

Safety at left-back with Sidibe and the return of Hadjisafi, Mohammadi

In the game with Levadeiakos, AEK didn’t have a pure left foot for left-back, with Djibril Sidibe “recruited” in a role he knows quite well, having played several games in his career in this position and at a higher level.

The France international made a positive debut in the Super League with the second leg and has rightly earned the right to be first choice (barring the unexpected) to mark left-back.

Of course, the demands against PAOK will be higher due to the difference in quality in the overall part, but also due to the presence of Kaled Narey, who plays on the right of attack and is one of Dikefalo’s most dangerous players this season.

However, Sidibe showed in his debut that he has the experience to react to this game and “hide” any shortcomings that he has compared to Narey, such as speed. Of course, the return of Hadjisafi and Mohammadi also gives him the cover he needs. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that one of the two Iranians will start instead of Sidibe, although they have fewer starting chances in the starting XI.