So we did lose, like more or less expected. But it could have been worse. Couldn’t watch the game just saw the highlights. 1-0 down in the first minute, not a great start 
2-0 after 13 minutes. Well, see for yourself.
By the way, seems that I was dead wrong about our temporary headcoach.
As reported by AEK365, Bajevic told Adamidis and the players that he has resigned as manager of AEK. I really don’t know what to make of this. We have our hardest match of the Europa League group stages coming up, we haven’t even encountered a truly strong team in the Superleague yet. The way things are looking right now, I think we’re in for one our worst seasons yet. Who could possibly take over now? With these players its gonna take a little more then a change in manager to start seeing some results.
Regardless, I always supported the guy, he stuck with us through some very low points in our history these past two years, he got us some great wins, and with some proper investment, he could have turned AEK into the champions of Greece.
We lost 3-1 at Oly Volou and the way we lost hurts. Was trying to work and watch at the same time, so I didn’t get all of it, but we played a lousy first half. 1-0 down after nearly 10 minutes. Free kick, cross with the head from one of the Volou players and then there was a striker left alone in front of the goal, not very hard for him to score.
We didn’t start very well in the second half either. Never in the whole game we could stop the rushes of Volou players. They just ran long distances with the ball without being properly attacked.
After a few minutes in the second half we finally started to play better and put pressure on Volou. I knew we would score the equalizer, you could feel it coming. And so we did, Liberoupolos scored, assist by Gentzoglou. After that we continued the pressure and scoring again seemed only a matter of time. Volou did nothing but trying to keep us as far away from their goal as possible. We were so much better!
But we didn’t score, and we didn’t stop another Volou rush…so they scored, about 8 minutes before the end of the game. Bajevic answered by putting Blanco in, but it was too late. And then, just before the end of the game something happened, like it always happens with this bald referee: penalty.
Watching the reruns it might have been the right decision, but the referee was much to eager to point to the penalty spot. Well, Arabatzis (who did not play very well) didn’t stop it: 3-1.
If we play like this against Zenith, then we’re in for a big loss. The Russians are in great shape lately, and our defence sucks big time. Fingers crossed.
First of all, AEK365 has the new team photos for the season available. Nice looking pics in my opinion, with Agia Sofia in the background being a very nice touch. Also nice to see a big smile on Libe’s face.
Now, Adamidis was quite furious with officiating at the match against Tripolis (rightfully so since at least one, but quite possibly more, penalties were not awarded to us). He made his thoughts very vocal, and expressed a number of thoughts he had. And while some from the red or green side (I dont see how the reds can complain considering what they’re president said, even when it wasn’t his team involved!) may not be impressed by the move, all I can say is well done! For years, we have lost vital points due to ridiculous calls by referees (or in some cases, the lack of a call when required). And it hasn’t only been the calls for us. What if Olympiakos had not recieved some of the calls they did three seasons ago (like the match against Aris or Larissa, both in Karaiskaki)? We would have ended up champions, regardless of what happened with Kalamaria. Considering how we managed to remain a competetive team these past few years, I can only imagine where we would have been had we won the championship like we should have. Of course, this is all hypothetically speaking…
Now, it is clear our league is a joke as far as referees are considered. I don’t know if its intentional, or the refs really are that bad, or even both, but I don’t care what others say. Every weekend there are numerous calls, and critical calls, being discussed, and most of the time rightfully so (not just with AEK, but pretty much every team in the league). An end must be put to this, but nothing will be done if nobody speaks out against it. Why should the referee’s bother changing if they know they will still have their job next weekend? They have to at least feel pressured, knowing there is little room for error (not only when Olympiakos is involved), knowing they’re moves will be watched as they should be.
Anyways, I doubt much will change. But I still would like to say well done to Adamidis for at least saying something, and going as far as having a meeting with the EPO head. Sure, there is only so much that will accomplish, but none the less, it has to be done.
You can see all highlights and goals here…………..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUuC9LjmVFE
A late Nacho Scocco thunderbolt from the best part of 35 meters out,salvaged AEK 2-2 draw tonight at the OAKA.Our performance could be best described as mediocre,as the team only played “football” for 35 out of the 90 minutes.
Bajevic made afew changes to the team that accounted for Hajduk Split during the week.Out went Dellas,Jahic,Diop and Liberopoulos and in their places respectavely were Patsatsoglou,Nastouri,Makos and Blanco making his first start this year,The formation was also changed to a more classical 4-4-2 with Djebbour and Blanco up front.
In truth,AEK controlled most of the match and should of taken the lead as early as the 10th minute when Burns’s shot from the 6yd box hit the crossbar and bounced over.Chances were few and far between,Makos had his shot just sail wide and a penalty claim for Manolas was turned down,nothing new there.
On 43 minutes,Asteras had a corner,Arambatzis came out to punch but it fell straight to the Asteras player standing on the edge of the penalty area,who shot immediately hitting the underside of the crossbar and bouncing in.
The second half started similarly to the first,alot of misplaced passes from both teams contributing to a scrappy game.Onceagain we had a penaly turned down when Scocco was brought down inside the bow clearly,the ref ruling outside.The resulting free kick just ended wide from Scocco.Blanco had an opportunity from a long ball over the top,he got there first but his header was brilliantly saved by the Asters keeper.
Then things got worse,we lost the ball in midfield,cheaply once again,the Asteras sub whose name escapes me,unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area,leaving Arambatzis no chance.
So 2 nil down and 10 min to go,the temptation to switch off the television and go back to bed at 5.30 Australian time was great but someting told me to hang on a second.
2 minutes later and Scocco cross was met at the far post by Djebbour who hit the back of the net with a beautiful header and it was game on again at 2-1.
AEK were pumping long balls into the area now,hoping for a late miracle which kept on seeming to just elude us,until Scocco picked up the ball in midfield and you know the rest.Will try and post highlights on here soon.
We really needed to win today,however a point is better than none and considering Pao,Paok and Aris all dropped points,wasn’t the worst weekenf we’ve had,but we need to improve all areas of our game especially our consistency.Liberopoulos brought us back to life tonight but we can’t rely on him every week,everyone else has to step up!
Well, I couldn’t see the match unfortunately, so all I got right now is a video:
The 1st game of the group stage is upon us and thankfully for us it’s at home.OK maybe OAKA isn’t our spiritual home,but with a new relaid surface and an excited crowd hungry for a decent crack at Europe,i’m tipping we’ll get the chocolates.
Arambatzis is expected to start keeping an out of form Saja on the bench.The back four should be like Sunday with Lagos and Jahic partnering Manolas and Dellas.Papa Boupa will start for a suspended Makos and will hold the midfield with Kafes.In front of these two will be Libe,Scocco on one flank and Burns should start on the other,Djebbour in the lone striker role.
Gentzoglou is back and will be on the bench as will Blanco(unless Bajevic springs a surprise).Blanco has also rejected our final offer,his manager saying the offer offends Ismael,and he’ll be staying till the end of his contract but who knows from there.Scocco is expected to stay as his offer is sustantially more than Blanco’s,i here up to 300,000 Euros,and his manager has a meeting today.If we can get his contract sorted hopefully we’ll see the real Scocco soon,maybe even against Hajduk.
Well, Ive wanted to get a forum for the blog started for a while now, and I finally did it. It can be found here: http://aekarchives.maxforum.org/
Unfortunately, due to the fact that its a free site, I only had a few options with the web address so I couldn’t customize it as much as I would have liked to. Anyways, the forum can basically just be used as a place for English Only posts, where we could start discussions on any number of AEK related topics. I know there are already some English forums such as at Greeksoccer.com, a forum which I use regularly, however those ones also see a large number of Greek posts, which can pose some restrictions to those of us that aren’t fluent with the language.
I figured we could have more liberty with our discussion, and they would be easily accessed and therefore easily updated. We could continue to use the blog for posting comments on specific posts. The forum could also be used for posing questions (including for fans of teams from around Europe wishing to find some info on AEK, traveling to the stadium, fans, etc…), and posting suggestions for the blog. Its easy to become a member and takes only a minute.
We could give it a try, and if we keep it up, great. If not, no worries, it only took five minutes to set up anyways. I will post the link for the forum in the right hand side of the blog.
For teams like AEK, games against opponents such as Panserraikos, Kerkyra, Thrasivoulos, etc, should be MUST WINS. Three points are crucial and while we will unfortunately drop them at times in the derbies, there is no excuse to not take advantage of weaker opposition. Fortunately for us this weekend, we did manage to get all three points, and while it is still early, these three points could prove to be vital.
The starting lineup was somewhat different compared to what I was anticipating. Arabatzis started in net, Jahic covered right back, Manolas and Dellas were centre, Lagos on the left. Midfield was Kafes, Makos, and Scocco while Djebbour, Libe, and Burns (!) took care of things up front (yes, seven Greeks in the starting eleven). The lineup seemed questionable at first, and while it took a good five minutes for us to gain control of the game (I was at first worried that Panserraikos might have proven to be a tougher opponent than anticipated), things started to settle together well as time progressed. Our attack was alive! Djebbour, Libe, and Burns were all eager and there were some good plays linking up between the three. Libe was often seen feeding some deadly through passes for both Burns and Djebbour to latch onto in front of the net. It still took a while before we managed to go one up but we eventually did after Djebbour controlled a beautiful chip pass from Libe and notched it down low before the keeper could get to it (that makes it two goals in two games for him).
Eventually, fairly late in the second, Kafes scored to make it 2-0 for AEK. However, it took chance, after chance, after chance, to get the ball in the net for us. We did look very good up front, but we wont always be playing against teams like Panserraikos. We have to make sure we can finish our chances when we make them.
The biggest (and most pleasing) surprise of the first half was Burns. He has constantly showed (ever since the tournament in Sydney) that he deserves to play a bigger role in this team and today he showed why. Great runs, superb control, he was always there on the wing when we needed him but he was just as dangerous in the box. If he gets some good playing time he can become a key player for AEK.
Scocco, on the other hand, was a huge disappointment. Sure, he did come close on a couple of free kicks, and he did manage to hit the post off a corner, but the eagerness we saw in Djebbour and Libe was n0ne-existent in his passionless play. Unfortunately it looks like we’ll be seeing more of what we saw from him last season.
Lagos gave a solid performance. He was very smooth bringing the ball up to attack and his speed and ball control was far from disappointing.
The stadium was almost full (it seemed there were some unoccupied seats in the vip section) and the atmosphere from my computer screen seemed nice and intimidating, just how we like it. I personally would be all for us playing some more games here (aside from the derbies). If there were a fourth stand added Rizoupoli could prove to be a very suitable temporary solution for us (Im not suggesting AEK adds another stand but simply stating scenarios from an ideal world).
Some tension was expected between the fans regarding Bajevic. The situation was not made any better when Dusan was sent off by the referee. To be honest, I still have no idea why the referee ordered him to leave but hopefully Ill find out soon enough.
AEK Athens FC and Other Greek Team News
