Mantalos and Livaja form deadly partnership

Following a turbulent start to the campaign in the summer, AEK have steadied the ship since Nikos Kostenoglou became head coach, with Petros Mantalos and Marko Livaja taking a leading role.

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Although AEK are still far from the team which won the 2017/2018 Super League title, they have made a big improvement in comparison to last season and the beginning of the current campaign. In the previous season, AEK played rather drab, uninspiring football as they enjoyed little success, but Kostenoglou has turned the situation around since he replaced Miguel Cardoso as manager in late August. Kostenoglou currently remains unbeaten in the AEK hotseat, claiming five victories and two draws in seven games.

Two men have been particularly impressive in the AEK charge.

AEK captain Mantalos, 28, has never quite been the same player since his second anterior cruciate ligament injury in the autumn of 2017. Mantalos was heavily criticised during the 2018/2019 season, but the attacking midfielder has stepped up to the plate for Kostenoglou. Leading by example, Mantalos is once again a key player for AEK in the attacking third, dishing out intelligent, creative passes to create danger for the opponents. The match against Volos NFC on matchday seven is a perfect example.

Mantalos’ assist for Marko Livaja’s equalising goal was exquisite. Catching the Volos defence cold, he lifted a dinked pass into the direction of Livaja, who controlled the ball excellently and beat the goalkeeper at point blank range.

He turned from provider to scorer in the second half. After Nelson Oliveira had won a penalty, Mantalos cooly converted the ensuing spot-kick with a low attempt under the goalkeeper’s left arm, before he doubled AEK’s lead a mere three minutes later when completing a flowing move. Mantalos was included in the FIFA 20 Ultimate Team of the Week after his wonderful performance at the Georgios Kamaras Stadium.

Mantalos boasts two goals and four assists in seven Super League games.

Partner in crime Livaja has been just as effective.

Seven games, three goals, two assists. Not to mention the flair which he gives this AEK side. Just like the entire AEK squad, Livaja did struggle for consistency last season, but he is finally back to his best again. The 26-year-old also registered three goals and one assist in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers against Universitatea Craiova and Trabzonspor.

All three of Livaja’s goals in the Super League have been absolutely crucial. In Tripoli, he gave AEK the lead against Asteras and celebrated in true Demis Nikolaidis style, before the Croat then netted the winner to beat Panetolikos on the road and equalised in the thriller with Volos in Rizoupoli. In the past, Livaja has often encountered disciplinary and attitude problems, but he is now competing with infections passion and desire again.

A telling statistic is that Mantalos has assisted two of Livaja’s three goals.

AEK have been dealt a major blow as Mantalos won’t recover in time to face Olympiacos at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Sunday. Initially, there was realistic hope that Mantalos would be ready to play against the Piraeus-based organisation, but it has been confirmed that he won’t be available. News which Kostenoglou really didn’t want to receive.

It’s worth noting that having already collected four yellow cards in the Super League, Livaja will miss the home game against Aris which is scheduled for November 24. AEK decided to keep Livaja available for the matches with Olympiacos, Atromitos and Panathinaikos with the forward obliged to miss one of the next four games.

Image Source: to10.gr

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