Ferreira’s pressing issue
AGONAsport's PAOK contributor, Jonathan Batsanis, analyses Sunday's derby defeat to Panathinaikos and explains why manager Abel Ferreira is entering the most challenging period of his short time at the club.
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It was another derby, another defeat, and yet another disappointing performance from PAOK on Sunday evening. It did not take a footballing mastermind to see this defeat coming. In recent weeks, PAOK's level of performance has dropped, and although the results did not waver, they were no doubt concerning.
Victories over Asteras Tripolis, Lamia, and Volos wallpapered over the cracks in these performances. Football is a results business, so had Ferreira and his team left Athens with the three points on Sunday, I dare say there would be very little unrest coming from PAOK fans as there had been in previous weeks. But with all due respect to Asteras, Lamia, and Volos, they are not Panathinaikos, and having a better team on paper isn't enough to get results in these types of matches.
The loss on Sunday saw PAOK's derby record worsen to one win, four draws, and two defeats for the season. A strike rate that is not good enough for a team that hopes to defend its title. So why does this poor record exist?
The thing that appeared to trouble PAOK in both derby defeats was the opposition's pressure high up the pitch. Both Aris and Panathinaikos pressed PAOK with numbers and intent deep in their half. In both games, PAOK struggled to retain possession and were forced into errors, which lead to the loss of the ball in dangerous positions.
There is no doubt Abel Ferreira's side are used to teams sitting off them and allowing them free reign until the final third of the pitch. Perhaps the pressing has caught PAOK off guard. Still, it is something that Ferreira should have noted after the loss against Aris and had a plan B prepared in case Panathinaikos (or any other team for that matter) came with a similar game plan.
In contrast, when PAOK attempted to press the Greens on Sunday evening, it was sluggish, with only a few players stepping up to apply pressure. The result was Panathinaikos slipping a few passes through the middle of the pitch and breaking into the space left by the pressing players.
One could argue that PAOK's lack of intensity when pressing is down to a poor mindset or a lack of confidence, and that may be true. That is something the manager needs to address within the locker room and motivate his players to play with intent and the right mentality.
As to why PAOK struggle so much to beat the press is something obvious. The midfield is not technically good enough. The players do not have the turn of pace, nor the ability to ride a challenge and quickly release the ball to a teammate.
Josip Misic and Diego Bieseswar are perhaps the most technical players in PAOK's squad. Ferreira, of late, has deployed the Croatian as a number ten, a move that has isolated him from the ball and not being able to impact games as he had in the first part of the season. Misic is perhaps the one player who can help PAOK beat the press with his passing ability and footballing IQ, but he needs to be reinstated into his natural position deeper in midfield. In a positive note, reports state that Ferreira is looking to make this tactical switch for the first leg of the Cup match against the same opposition on Wednesday.
Beyond the question of his players' ability to deal with the press, another issue for Ferreira is his lack of a plan B. He wants to play beautiful football, which is fine, but the great managers can adapt to their opponents and alter their style of play when the match calls for it. Even Pep Guardiola has changed his approach when playing Liverpool. If one of the greatest managers of all time can admit that you can't always play the most attractive football and alter his philosophy when required, then undoubtedly Ferreira can as well. At times you need to be a pragmatist and not an idealist in football. That is what PAOK need right now, a more pragmatic view of its squad and it's playing style.
Mr.Ferreira, the challenge is set. You must adapt to your team's style of play, heading into the tail end of the season and the play-offs. Derby results need to improve as these matches will decide the title. PAOK have not lost faith in Ferreira as a manager; it is far too soon to start singing that tune, but as some fans begin to question his ability, the coach and the players need to respond. History awaits to see if the team can pull it off.
