Almeida: “We have to finish these games, the opponent took advantage of the few chances they had”

AEK drew 2-2 with Panaitolikos in Agrinio and Matias Almeida believes his team should end these games earlier, as if they would win with a third goal. At the same time, he once again pointed out that Union would continue with the same style of play regardless of the results.

What Matias Almeida said in detail at the press conference: Whether he thinks AEK didn’t have a clear head despite being in control of the game: “We started well, with a goal. We were aggressive, dynamic, fast, we were leading 0-2 and the opponent was waiting. As the minutes passed we lost the rhythm of the game. Another penalty was taken and the game was open. In the second half we continued to be in control and tried to score another goal.

Football is like that, the opponents took advantage of the few opportunities they had. This happened in several games, there were a lot of goal actions and if we had taken advantage of them mainly in the first half we could have ended the game earlier“.

What AEK needs to correct with regard to the sequel: “We have to continue to fine-tune it. We came here to win. The team did what they had to do, pressed, stole balls, brought the opponent into their own half, controlled the game, had more corners, had clear goal phases and so it should continue.

We are on the right track, we may be used to winning and every draw seems like a defeat, but that is not the case. Against us there is an opponent and a coach who studies the game and players who give their maximum. Every time a team scores a draw, they celebrate it as a victory. Is normal.

We have to continue on the same path and know that we have to finish and finish these games earlier. There are always things to fix. We will try to finish in 2023 and be among the first“.

For the differences he saw regarding Panaitolikos compared to the first round match: “I first analyze my own team. The difference was one goal. In this case we entered two, in the previous three. If we had scored three goals today we probably would have won. Panaitolikos has changed the way he plays.

After the draw he gains confidence. After the equalizer, he pressed the penalty area harder. The opponent played his own game and I respect that. We came to do our thing, which we achieved in the first part.

We tried to win until the end, but that also has to do with the competition in the league, which is getting better and better. On the other hand, of course, we have to continue to improve and understand that games end until the referee blows his whistle.“.

How AEK should deal with the new loss: “We must proceed in the same way. Depending on the result, it doesn’t change anything for me. We dedicate the same time, the same passion, the same love and the same respect to the opponent. Mistakes can help us fix that, but if we had converted the chances into goals, this press conference would have lasted two minutes.

If we analyze the game, AEK was superior. We have to stick to the way we played last year. At this point last year we were nine points behind. Compared to last year we have improved. I will always try to find the positive side in difficult times. The day I stop feeling this way, I will move on to something else“.

Whether he expects players to return given Panseraikos: “We came and tried to make some changes, some that were out came back. The games were consecutive. It would be easy to come here and use excuses. We always play the same style as those available.

We have another game in two days. There is no time to work or make many changes. There are some things we do very well, but there are others where things go wrong. Mukudi asked me to change because of a sore ankle. These are things that happen“.