Almeida for Olympiacos – AEK: “Derby is the festival of football, I believe in the work my team does”

He talked about her derby against Olympiacos (Sunday 24/11/24, 20:30) with Argentine technician reporting that he has confidence in his football players. Matias Almeida spoke to Cosmote TV’s camera about the AEK’s away derby against Olympiacos, with the Union’s technician describing the game as a celebration, while stressing that he has not yet decided on the 11th team with which to join his team in Piraeus. In detail Almeida’s statements How did the team prepare in the past two weeks, how did the internationals come back and generally how do you feel about the team just before the derby with Olympiacos? These weeks are always similar to the previous ones. With many football players leaving, others staying here. Within the week, we were able to make a friendly one so that players who didn’t have much time could get involved. And time passed, working.” What are your thoughts on the derby with Olympiacos? “My thought is that I am before a celebration. I think about it that way, derby is the football festival. With a lot of appetite, mood and wish things would work out. With the respect we show to all opponents. But also grateful to the life that I can participate in these moments.” Is it a game that will be judged in power, personal duels and second balls or in possession of the ball and control the rhythm? “It’s derby and it’s hard to say in advance what will happen. They’re two groups with different strategies. Two teams that are equivalent on the field. We cannot forget that the opponent last year won a European Cup. They are participating in Europe this year and they are doing well. They have a very good coach, very good footballers, so it will be a beautiful presentation”. You have played twice against José Luis Medilibar’s Olympiacos. Are those two games playing a role in planning tomorrow’s derby strategy? Also, is there anything you can do to each other, coach, in order to surprise him? “As far as my own group, which I can talk about, I don’t think I can do anything to surprise the opposing group. I believe in the work my team does and I believe in my football players. We’ve studied the opponent enough, as we study all opponents. But I don’t play football anymore, so for my part I couldn’t do anything else! I would love to, but I can’t play”. Have you decided on the eleven to begin? “No…! We’ll see…!” Jonson: “Derby in Greece is a reason to come play in Greece” How AEK players think about derby against Olympiacos: “As always, it will be an interesting game. Derby in Greece is one of the reasons you come to play here. They’re huge toys. Right now we are on top with Olympiacos, so it will be a game with enthusiasm and intensity. We look forward to it.” For whether this particular derby will be a game judged in power, personal duels and second balls or in possession of the ball and control of the rhythm: “I guess it will be a combination. The team that wants it more will give the field more, which will play, perhaps, better, I think will win. We must show that it will be us, but I think it is a combination of things.” For his opinion on Olympiacos: “They are a good team, they are a big team and Olympiacos has good players. A few months ago he won the Conference League. They’re a great team, but so are we. We must show that we are better. And if we do, we’ll show it. But, yes, they are a good team.” For the fact that the distances at the top of the scoreboard are small and perhaps this means that the derby with Olympiacos will not be decisive: “No, I completely disagree. Last year, we lost the championship for two points. You could find a lot of games that we lost points to, because while we were winning, we were finally drawing a tie. Or we were tied and in the end we lost. So, I disagree: every grade is too valuable in this league. Especially this year, it’s even more equivalent. Even smaller groups have improved greatly. So I think that Greek football generally moves in the right direction and there are no easy games.”