Carrera steadying the AEK ship 

Since joining AEK, Massimo Carrera has immediately been able to make his mark, fixing the defensive frailties and increasing the level of effectiveness.

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AEK were in disarray before Carrera replaced Nikos Kostenoglou as head coach. Conceding goals for fun, AEK were far too easy to score against, falling 13 points behind the leading pair of Olympiacos and PAOK in the process. At this moment in time, AEK are still trailing Olympiacos by the exact same amount of points, but the performance level has completely transformed.

The statistics don’t lie. Immediately when Carrera arrived, AEK stopped conceding goals, with the Italian introducing an effective defensive system which has prevented opponents from scoring from set pieces. So far, the 55-year-old Italian coach has been at the AEK helm for 13 games, claiming eight victories, four draws and one loss with the team scoring 18 goals and only conceding six. Impressive numbers for a team which was, in truth, in freefall.

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 which frustrated the opponents.

Carrera has, finally, ended the miserable winless streak in derby matches. Last weekend, an early goal from Sergio Araujo defeated Panathinaikos 1-0 at the OAKA, with the Enosis holding the Prasini at bay by calmly controlling the second half. For all of their huffing and puffing, Panathinaikos failed to create a number of clear chances, with the Kitrinomavri cleverly not allowing them to approach Vasilis Barkas’ goal.

Here are all of Carrera’s 13 results with AEK so far:

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)

Damian Szymanski, recently signed from Akhmat Grozny on loan, has offered a productive link between defence and attack, while Nenad Krsticic’s form in front of the defensive line has notably improved. Further forward, Petros Mantalos is continuing to pull the strings, Marko Livaja boasts great mutual understanding with Sergio Araujo and Stratos Svarnas and Ognjen Vranjes have struck up a solid centre-back partnership.

Although AEK aren’t exactly displaying flowing football on a regular basis, a winning mentality appears to have returned for the first time since the triumphant 2017/2018 season, with Carrera having installed a mindset within the group which allows the team to play with confidence, organisation and strength. The leaky showings and pure lack of tactical intelligence at the back appear to be a thing of the past.

AEK are yet to concede more than one goal in one single game under the leadership of Carrera.

The major test is the upcoming playoffs. Taking into account the 13-point gap, AEK aren’t going to challenge for the Super League title, however competent derby results, third place and qualification to the UEFA Europa League preliminaries are a must. The Greek Cup wouldn’t go amiss either.

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