Almeida’s plan for AEK’s winning debut against Lamia

AEK starts this historic season in the home of Lamia (20/08, 21:30, COSMOTE Sport 1 and Live Sportish). A season returning to its roots after 19 years in New Philadelphia. Against Fthiotou, Matias Almeida’s side will play their first official match after winning five pre-season friendlies (Genk, Folendam, Utrecht, Omonia and Progressivitis).

Union want to start the Super League Premiership on the right foot for a number of reasons. First of all, he wants to buy time with the results so that the team can gain chemistry and gradually improve its image, combined with strengthening the team on the transfer market. If the results do not come, there is “trembling”, which does not benefit the work of the team. The reasons are of course also of a statistical nature, even if we are talking about the premiere of the championship.

In the competition, the Argentinian coach is not counting on Mijat Gacinovic, who was out due to fatigue after suffering from a virus in the previous days. A special program will follow in the coming days to come back. Of course, the unprepared Galanopoulos and Mukudi, who only had one training session, were not included in the team. Mitai was also included in the mission but all indications are that he will continue at Lokomotiv Moscow and Christos Yousis took his place.

Opposite her is a team that suffered badly from the corona virus during the week. In fact, his performance was ‘up in the air’ due to the cases, but the game is being played normally with Gianluca Festa not counting on it Saranov, Adezzo, Beharano, Romanic, Tzandari, Giakoumaki and Karamano,

The trio in defense does not change

For the first half of the season, Almeida will maintain the trio in defense he worked on over the summer and used in all Union friendlies. So that’s the system he’s going to use to field his team at Athanasios Diakos, and he has his reasons.

This year, AEK has been moving fast to bolster their midfield with quality moves that raise their level. The 3-5-2 is a system that can highlight the quality of AEK in midfield while limiting weaknesses in defense.

The eleven that Almeida is expected to field AEK with is the same as the dress rehearsal against progressives in Serafeidio. Cican Stankovic will sit under the rafters. The trio on defense will consist of Vida on the right end of defence, Hadjisafi on the left and Tzavella’s central stopper.

Damian Szymanski will be used in the role of “Cutter” on the axis and Orbelin Pineda and Jens Jonsson will be used in midfield. On the left will play Chuber, who responded brilliantly in that role, and on the right, Amrabat. Mandalos will play a freer role in the top duo and Araujo will be the striker. Of course, Almeida can transform 3-5-2 into 3-4-2-1 with this formation.