Nervy AEK need improvement

AGONAsport’s AEK contributor, Greg Gavalas, talks about the worrying signs from AEK after their narrow win over Asteras Tripolis on Wednesday. Read Greg’s blog at AGONAsport.

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AEK came away 2-1 winners from Wednesday’s Asteras Tripolis test at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA); however, it was yet another unconvincing performance that left AEK fans with mixed emotions after another Super League match.

Under new coach Massimo Carrera, it is clear the team is adjusting to his style of play. Besides the goals, there was not much to cheer about, except for a few moments. 

It was concerning that Asteras were allowed to play some good football and, on many occasions, had the home team on their heels with decent attacking and flowing plays.

AEK were shaped in a 3-5-2 formation with Petros Mantalos pushing up in attack and making a 5-3-2 formation in defence, with the wingers Paulinho and Helder Lopez dropping back to help.

Some of the more evident plays in the Carrera formation was the high pressing of the three main attackers, Nelson Oliveira, Marko Livaja, and Petros Mantalos. However, Asteras did deal with this rather well, and it exposed the two central midfielders, Kostas Galanopoulos and Nenad Kristicic. As a result, for much of the game, Asteras were able to put lots of pressure on AEK.

Having Paulinho and Lopez on the wings is just “ok.” AEK will not get far with these players on the flanks, and they showed little promise despite playing against Asteras, who languish down in 12th place and who were trashed 5-0 by Olympiacos on Sunday. It is a reason to worry. 

Had AEK played any team from the 11th position and upwards, I don’t think the Enosis would have won, and that is a huge concern given there is a whole second round to come and a trip to the Toumba against PAOK in 3.5 weeks.

One of the significant changes in play under Carrera is AEK’s short passing game. At times, it worked well, but AEK have had moments of poor passing games in recent times, and there was evidence of that in this match. This is another area that needs to improve.

A notable change was Michalis Bakakis being played on the left side. The Greek international is a right-back typically, and he did well for the most part, although his error led to Asteras’ goal. Bakakis had Lopez in front of him at left midfield, and AEK actually suffered not having Bakakis’ attacking runs on the right where Paulinho, outside of the assist in the second goal, was unconvincing. 

A shootout must go out to AEK’s reserve goalkeeper, Panagiotis Tsitontas. He came on to replace the injured Vasilis Barkas and produced one of the saves of the season when he somehow got a diving hand to a pin-point header from Argentine, Walter Iglesias. The Tripoli midfielder even asked Tsitontas, “how did you do that” after the save. It was a key save as it ultimately gave AEK the much-needed three points.

After the match, Carrera spoke about the mentality of the AEK players, who played in fear after Tripolis pegged the score to 2-1. The former Juventus defender mentioned, “We have to become better, improve, and play with quality. We have the players to do it. We have to unblock our thinking, and football is played with imagination and not with fear.”

There is no doubt he was referring to the “panic” moments of AEK players as they booted the ball away in the final 10 minutes of the game, allowing Asteras to keep possession and pressure on the Kitrinomavri.

AEK will meet Asteras in the Greek Cup in just three weeks, and Wednesday’s game gave the Arkades confidence that they can beat AEK over the two legs. 

AEK are away to Lamia on Saturday night, and it will be very telling as to which players Carrera chooses to trust in the starting XI. Barkas and Galanopoulos were both injured on Wednesday, and the turnaround is only three days. 

With many areas of improvement needed and a close championship fight with the chasing pack, there is a lot on the line.

by Greg Gavalas

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