Vassilis Vergis is trying to approach tomorrow’s big derby of the Avenue
AEK Almeida is undefeated in 17 derby matches. Since last year, in the 1-3 against Olympiakos, he has not lost. She is a champion-double, she has built self-confidence and an “iron” character, she can win even when the opponent forces her to see the… grace with her eyes, as happened last Sunday in the derby with Olympiakos.
AEK Almeida is not in the current season the impressively spectacular team of last year, despite having scored 65 goals in the league. Obviously, the opponents have “read” her, but clearly her coach has put a lot of realism, sometimes cynicism into her game, aiming for the result. Even more so in the mini-event of the playoffs, where teams play to win, not to impress.
AEK Almeida has constants in its game. They are a team with excellent physical condition, they run and press a lot, they show aggressive behavior in the midfield (there are Jonsson, Szymanski and also Pineda for this), they bet a lot on the class of the healthy Levi Garcia and they have a deep roster from which they can get important solutions . It also recently happened in the derby with Olympiakos (Mandalos assist, Eliasson goal, two substitute players). If we exclude the fact that Almeida can… bring Pinedas back and forth on the field – especially when he is used as a back, AEK lacks his natural position and has been rightly criticized for it – no other big surprises are in store. Not even in the system, where 4-1-3-2 has been operating since last year as gospel. Even when he chooses to keep Zuber out, “raise” the Mexican behind the forward and play with two midfielders (Symanski, Jonsson) who have clearly more defensive characteristics.
In short, AEK Almeida is a team from which you know what to expect. She has stability and continuity in her playing style. Not once on “9” and the other time on “3”…
The big “question mark” of tomorrow’s derby is Panathinaikos of Terim. A team that constantly subjects their world to scotch showers. Not only from game to game but also within the same match, as for example happened in Toumba in the championship match. Then in the cup against the same opponent she was very good and won, in the rematch at Leoforou… she lost the ball, saved in the 127th minute and won the penalty shootout in an improbable way.
Panathinaikos was the same team that impressed in Faliro by beating Olympiakos 1-3, taking advantage of Mendiliber’s “gift” in the formation (4-4-2) and then giving the same “gift” to Lucescus (4-4-2 ) resulting in being defeated by PAOK. A team that wanted to finish 1st in the regular season and suddenly lost the ground under its feet in the Avenue in the matches with Lamia and Kifisia.
Panathinaikos of Terim defeated Olympiakos twice in the championship, eliminated them in the cup and is now only 2 points above the red and whites – who have committed “crimes” this year – and with a worse image than them recently. Already at -6 from AEK and at -4 from PAOK.
Panathinaikos Terim has played 4-2-3-1, has played 4-3-3, has played 4-4-2 and you are still looking to find out what are its constants. He acquired two stoppers last January (Akaidin, Ugo), he has two more active ones (Schenkefeld, Jedvai), a total of 4 plus two injured players, but Arao plays center back. One of the most quality “6s” in the league. Panathinaikos does not have another player with Arao’s characteristics for the position in the midfield.
Panathinaikos of Terim has a lot of quality from the middle and up front, he can “kill” any defense with (the terrible) Bernard, Ioannidis, Bakaseta, but he never corrected his defensive transitions which create serious suspension issues for him. PAOK threw a “party” in this part.
Panathinaikos Terim has some “unused” players who could provide a solution and qualitatively open up the depth of the roster (Djuric, Verbic), while there are games where players are used despite having a problem (most recently Sporar, Mladenovic) or visible fatigue ( Bakasetas).
Panathinaikos of Terim is a team with undeniable quality (67 goals scored in the league), but without continuity or if you prefer consistency in its image. She can present you with either her best or her worst self.
Panathinaikos, instead of taking advantage of the “weapon” of a venue such as Leoforos, lost important points and ground there this year in the battle of the championship. Anxiety; Inability to manage the high “must” in front of the justly demanding public?
Be that as it may, by early April, there should have been a lot more answers, if you prefer there were a lot less question marks for a team looking to consistently challenge for the title.
If he can beat AEK tomorrow and break their unbeaten streak? Based on quality it can. Based on his image, however, AEK can beat him. Based on logic? Forgive me but I’m not a fortune teller to know what Fatih Terim will do this time and whether it will affect his team positively or negatively. How much more against a coach (Matias Almeida) with an amazing consistency of results in the last 17 derbies!