AEK improving under Carrera
AGONAsport’s AEK contributor, Greg Gavalas, analyzes how AEK have improved under coach Massimo Carrera and how the Enosis will fight for second place in the Super League Playoffs.
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Massimo Carrera has done an excellent job so far at the helm of AEK. After the Enosi’s 2-1 win over Aris in Athens (despite conceding an away goal), AEK are confident, under the leadership of Carrera, of reaching the Greek Cup Final for a fifth consecutive season.
Despite an impressive feat of reaching the final so many times since 2016, the Kitrinomavri will want to improve their record in the competition’s showcase event. After winning the Cup in 2016 over Olympiacos, AEK have lost the final to PAOK three years in a row.
There is no denying AEK have changed for the better since Carrera was appointed head coach. The former Juventus defender has developed AEK into a force to be reckoned with. This can be seen in many aspects, not just on paper, but the feeling within the team.
Improvement in defence
One of the first things Carrera worked on was AEK’s defence. The Kitrinomavri’s defence needed work. In 17 games before the Italian’s appointment, AEK conceded 1.3 goals a game. Against Olympiacos, PAOK, Panathinaikos, and Aris alone, AEK conceded eight goals - an average of two per game - in the first round of the regular season.
Since Carrera took over, AEK have conceded just eight goals in 18 games from all competitions. That is an average of 0.5 goals a game, a 62% improvement in defence, which is a staggering statistic. Against the big-four mentioned above, AEK went from conceding eight goals to one (a penalty against PAOK) in the second round of the regular season.
Standout performers
There have been two standout performers since Carrera came in. The big one has been 30-year-old, fan favourite, Ognjen Vranjes. The Bosnian defender, who is on loan from Anderlecht, started the season with inconsistent performances, was prone to errors, and was involved in off-the-field matters that did not help his situation. However, all that has changed since late December. Vranjes is now the leader of AEK’s defence and is showing every part of the player that helped AEK win the 2018 Greek Super League title.
The other standout performer is perhaps the surprise pick of all, 22-year-old Greek defender Efstratios Svarnas. The Athens born player started his footballing career within the AEK Academies, spent time with Xanthi from 2016 to 2018, and was brought back to AEK at the start of last season. The truth is, I never felt comfortable with Svarnas at centre-back early on, however, he has significantly improved under the eye of Carrera. With Vranjes, he has been a key in reducing AEK’s goals conceded statistic (from 1.3 goals a game to 0.5). His speed and quick passing have elevated him over the slow pairing of Marios Oikonomou and injury-prone Dmytro Chygrynskiy, who played a big part in AEK conceding so many goals.
Improvement in AEK midfield
The midfield has also changed considerably, and Carrera has deployed various formations. I was not a fan of the 4-3-3, a formation used early on by Carrera, but the Italian mixed it up with a 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 formation.
Two players have given AEK a new identity while an old regular has been forced, rightfully to the bench at the moment.
The two players on the up, include new signing, Damian Szymanski, and Nenad Krsticic. Szymanski has been a great addition to the team as his powerful, nonstop running cannot be discounted in AEK’s impressive defensive statistics. He fitted right in from the get-go and will continue to improve.
Nenad Krsticic came to AEK last season, and his performances were very inconsistent. Like others mentioned above, he has become a new player under Carrera’s guidance. The Serbian will not only do the work needing off the ball but his excellent distribution with the ball at his feet and his threat in attack - scoring goals and assisting - was something AEK needed.
All this means Andre Simoes has had to see the bench, and with Kostas Galanopoulos due back from injury, perhaps next month, the Greek youngster will have his work cut out to get back into the starting eleven.
Attack still needs improvement
In the attack and forward positions, AEK continue to work on this part of their game. One of the pleasing things in the Greek Cup fixture against Aris was AEK’s continuous search for more goals, despite leading in the scoreline. In previous big games, after scoring early, AEK would sit back and play on the counter. Although this did bring in positive results, it is not sustainable for a big club like AEK.
Sergio Araujo’s return has been average so far. The goal against Panathinaikos, which broke a two-year derby winless drought, was a massive burden off AEK’s back. That being said, the Argentine needs to start converting his chances as he has only scored that one goal in seven appearances (many as a substitute).
Nelson Oliveria is still struggling with injury, and his return is unknown. AEK, though, have seen good returns from Petros Mantalos, Christos Almpanis, Marko Livaja, Daniele Verde, and now Viktor Klonaridis. There is plenty of striking power for the upcoming playoffs in which AEK will be heading in with good form.
Fight for second
Under Carrera’s 18 games in charge, AEK read 12 wins, five draws, and just the one loss (to PAOK). AEK have scored 29 goals and only conceded eight for a +21 goal differential. There is no football this weekend, but the playoffs will start on the 14th of March.
AEK’s target will be to maximize each game and catch PAOK in second place for a UEFA Champions League berth. With PAOK receiving a seven-point deduction for their multi-ownership case with Xanthi, AEK have all to play for in the Super League playoffs.
The Playoffs will be a great test for the team and Carrera himself. It will be interesting to see how an ever-improving AEK stack up against an in-form Olympiacos and defending champions PAOK. It will be important for AEK to get good results against the Dikefalos tou Vorra, but also against the rest of the bunch, including Athenians rials, Panathinaikos, who have stated they are aiming to claim third place in the Playoffs.
