Carrera gunning for Champions League football with AEK
When Massimo Carrera joined AEK, the Kitrinomavri were far behind the leading pair of the Super League, however the Italian’s intelligence has given the club a realistic chance of reaching the UEFA Champions League.
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The impact which Carrera has made is impossible to ignore. Before he replaced Nikos Kostenoglou as head coach, AEK were in complete freefall with the team leaking goals, but the Italian manager immediately began making effective changes. All of a sudden, the Enosi transformed into an effective, defensively solid team, securing important victories while not making the same cheap mistakes at the back. The fact that AEK haven’t conceded more than one goal in any single match with Carrera in charge speaks volumes.
The coronavirus pandemic arrived at the worst possible time for AEK. Playing with confidence and a productive system, AEK had pulled away from Panathinaikos in third position of the table, and they were only one point behind second-placed PAOK after the Dikefalos tou Vorra received a seven-point deduction for their involvement in a multi-ownership scandal. Nevertheless, if the championship playoffs do eventually take place, AEK will have a golden opportunity to clinch Champions League football with the Kitrinomavri scheduled to play PAOK twice.
In a combined total of three matches against PAOK, Olympiacos, and Panathinaikos, Carrera’s AEK have only suffered the one defeat, and that itself was because of a penalty scored by Vieirinha. When hosting Olympiacos at the Olympic Stadium, AEK didn’t particularly show a lot of ambition, but Carrera managed to nullify the usually powerful Erythrolefki attack with intelligent, organised tactics that frustrated the opponents. AEK subsequently defeated Panathinaikos 1-0 at the OAKA with Sergio Araujo beating Sokratis Dioudis with a fine attempt.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 18 games at the AEK helm, Carrera has tallied 12 victories, five draws, and one defeat, with the team scoring 29 goals and only conceding eight. In defence, Ognjen Vranjes and Stratos Svarnas have struck up a reliable partnership, Andre Simoes has improved in central midfield, and Petros Mantalos, Marko Livaja, and Araujo have great mutual understanding in attack. Just like two years ago, AEK are resembling a well-oiled machine again, and they will fancy their chances of a title tilt next season if they continue performing at such a consistent level.
“Our goal for the remainder of the season is the Greek Cup and qualification for the Champions League,” stated the 55-year-old when recently speaking to Italian media. “Yes, we are far behind Olympiacos, but we are close to PAOK. There is always pressure at any club, you simply need to know how to handle it. So far, it has been a very positive experience for me at AEK.”
It has already been confirmed that Carrera will remain in the position of AEK manager in the 2020/2021 season.
Let’s take a look at all of Carrera’s results since becoming the AEK head coach in December:
Xanthi - AEK - 0-1 (Super League)
AEK - Asteras Tripolis - 2-1 (Super League)
Lamia - AEK - 0-0 (Super League)
AEK - Panetolikos - 3-1 (Super League)
PAOK - AEK - 1-0 (Super League)
Asteras Tripolis - AEK - 1-1 (Greek Cup)
AEK - AE Larissa - 3-0 (Super League)
Volos NFC - AEK - 1-3 (Super League)
AEK - Olympiacos - 0-0 (Super League)
AEK - Asteras Tripolis - 2-0 (Greek Cup)
Atromitos - AEK - 0-1 (Super League)
Panetolikos - AEK - 1-1 (Greek Cup)
AEK - Panathinaikos - 1-0 (Super League)
Aris - AEK - 0-1 (Super League)
AEK - Panetolikos - 4-0 (Greek Cup)
AEK - OFI - 3-0 (Super League)
Panionios - AEK - 1-1 (Super League)
AEK - Aris - 2-1 (Greek Cup)
