Firstly, I’d like to apologize for not having posted anything recently, my internet connection was limited the past two weeks while I was away and so I couldn’t really get a post up.
Enough has happened since then though, and Im not sure where to begin. There has been talk on and off about the match fixing scandals, though (and Im not surprised at all) it seems Marinakis won’t be touched any time soon. I’m not sure what has happened with Beos, however Olympiakos Volou are still currently playing in the Europa League, and Psomiadis still has not been arrested (though it sounds like there has been a fair bit of talk about him).
Still not sure what will come out of all this, maybe something, maybe nothing at all. Either way, it seems teams have continued as if very little has ever happened and I imagine things will continue to be that way.
As for our transfers, as KGB posted, we have signed former Barca and Chelsea striker, Eidur Gudjohnsen. I honestly can’t say I’ve seen much of him, and he is fairly old, but I still have high hopes, even if it takes a while for him to find his place in the team. Either way, with the reception he received at the airport, I certainly hope to see him offer everything he can.
We also signed Jose Carlos and Cala (I believe Cala was a loan though I could be wrong) from Sevilla, two players who Jimenez was familiar with. Definitely very promising pick ups and both should be able to make a fairly immediate impact.
Michel has said that he is very keen on returning to AEK, and I believe Birmingham will be releasing him so we should be able to sign him once again if all goes well. I personally will be very happy if this works out as he was a solid player, was committed to the team, and fit well in the system we were playing last season.
Things aren’t looking so positive though as far as Diop is concerned. He is having some family issues (I am not aware of the details though) and is considering quitting football all together. He would save us some cash on his salary, but he managed to become a critical player for the team as the season progressed last year, so he will be missed. And I can’t see him being very easy to replace either.
Now, as far as our pre-season friendlies are concerned, I’m not sure what to think. We won our first friendly 5-0 however we only managed a 0-0 draw earlier today against FC Baku of Azerbaijan. I know its still early, and we have a fairly new team, and I expect Jimenez will still need some time to fine tune the team, so I’m not too worried yet. If previous seasons are anything to go by, pre-season friendly results tend to mean very little by time the season comes around.
I seriously wonder sometimes… if it wasn’t for what our badge stands for and some of the legends that have worn our shirt, why would any of us bother even paying the slightest attention to this joke of a league. I’m referring specifically to yesterday’s derby between Oly and PAO though also our match today as well as yesterday’s match between Tripolis and Kerkyra. Its been a while since such a clear reminder of how much of a joke our league really is has been sent to us fans (at least those not with red glasses distorting their view). There has even been talk of PAO considering leaving the league, or forming a league of their own and I for one would be completely for such a move (however unrealistic and unlikely it may be at the moment). Aside from Oly’s B teams (Panionios, Xanthi, Oly Volou), many teams would benefit from such a move since it is clear as day that NOTHING will ever change with our league as long as pigs such as Marinakis are still involved.
Yesterday’s match was a disgrace with a handball from Torosidis in the box not given as a penalty, a perfectly legit goal to give PAO a 2-1 lead ruled for offside, and an illegal goal in many ways scored by that other pig Djebbour in extra time giving Oly the win and sealing their championship. In addition, a number of Oly supporters stormed the pitch and physically attacked a number of PAO players including Cisse and Simao. At half time and after the match, more hooligan like behavior witnessed, this time coming right from Superleague PRESIDENT, Marinakis (less than a week after Beos’ pathetic comments towards Larissa). How will our league ever advance in any way with thugs such as Marinakis, Beos, Psomiadis, and Co running things… whether its their unbelievably obvious influence they have off the pitch or their incredibly childlike attitude, it is obvious that no progress will ever be made towards improving our league… if anything, this weekend has confirmed the worst, and it will only be a matter of time before things get worse, and quickly.
Now, I mentioned yesterday’s match between Kerkyra and Tripolis. Why I mention it was because of the following video. Even for those who don’t understand much Greek, or any at all, the confusion coming from the commentator’s voice is painfully obvious.
Right… so the Kerkyra player gets taken down in the box and it should be awarded a penalty, correct? The Tripolis keeper receives a yellow card, yet the ref goes on to give a yellow to the Kerkyra player (his second of the match in fact, leading to his red). Why? Diving? Yet the ref still awards the penalty… even the commentator is left wondering who recieved the cards and for what reason…
Now, as many of you have noticed, neither myself or AEKMAN74 commented on our 3-1 loss to PAO last weekend. It was a terrible match in every way. A terrible offside was given on Blanco with the score 2-1 in PAO’s favour. However, Blanco was onside considerably and had the offside not been called he would have been 1 0n 1 with the PAO keeper. Now, aside from poor officiating, AEK simply looked terrible at the match. We played with no intent at all (aside from a brief 20 minute spell in the second where we applied considerable pressure) and our defending was atrocious at times.
As for today’s match… again, we looked terrible. We managed to score a goal late in the first half thanks to Libe (again, what will we do once he retires at the end of the season?) however the goal was canceled out almost 45 minutes later when, Mitroglou of all people, score the equalizer with very little time remaining (and, of course, the assist came from another player on loan from Olympiakos, Galitsios). Riera should have been sent off after he pushed Kafes from behind (when neither had the ball near them if I remember correctly), yet apparently all four officials, including the linesman who should have been near the two at the time, happened to miss it? I find it quite unlikely, but who knows anymore…
Aside from poor officiating though (also, Ill remind you that this match was played behind closed doors), as I said, we looked terrible. No attacking intent at all for the entire first half, we could not get plays together, there was very little sense of structure within the team, and we simply could not create. Also, Im starting to get very tired of seeing Scocco play, ever since his contract extension was signed. I much rather would have seen Leo or Burns start today… what they lack in skill compared to Scocco they would have made up for today with their speed or… simply trying to do something, anything, to get an attack together.
I know we can complain about the officiating today, however I would like to point out that both Manolas and Karabelas were lucky not to recieve more than just a yellow card today. They were both involved in some very dangerous plays a number of times, and while I dont mind seeing that, I think they got off easier than they could have.
Overall, its a shame we couldn’t get the 3 points today. To be honest, I dont care how ugly it would have been, I just wanted a win to help keep Panionios close to the relegation zone and us as high as we can in time for the play offs. I believe it is now for games in which we have not won a match at home, and if I understood correctly, the last time we have beaten Panionios was 2009? I could be wrong, but thats disgusting if true.
I do apologize for the unorganized post, but Im simply starting to lose my patience with everything going on, either with AEK or the league in general.
Also, some more terrible news for us AEK supporters. It seems our Basketball team, a team which was once the team that made Greece most proud, the first Greek team to win a European trophy, will be playing next season in the 2nd divisioin. Words simply cannot describe what a shame this is to see.
