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On the night that Giannis Antetokounmpo celebrated his 30th birthday with a double-double (30 points, 11 rebounds) and Khris Middleton returned to the court, the Boston Celtics forced the Milwaukee Bucks to lose 111-105.

Otherwise he would wait for the celebration Giannis Antetokounmpo his 30th birthday and otherwise he celebrated.

He would certainly have wanted and expected a big victory in Boston, however the champions had… the opposite view and were not treated to the special day of the Greek superstar.

And not only special for him but also for him Chris Middletonwho stepped on the floor again after 217 days! But without combining the great comeback with a victory.

The hosts Celtics they took care of counterattacking in the last period and scoring 33 points to turn the situation around and reach the final victory.

The Celtics are a trio of “fire”.

In fact, with the score at 102-101 in her favor Bostono John Antetokounmpo he had a chance to hit from outside the 7.25 meters, but the unmarked three-pointer he attempted missed the target as a result of which the momentum remained in the hands of Jason Tatum and his company.

Their star Celtics he was also the leading scorer of the match, having 34 points with 8/10 two-pointers, 4/10 three-pointers, 6/8 shots, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. the “dark” Jaylen Brown he added another 25 points with 10/21 inside children, while the… former player of Bucks, Jrue Holiday “wrote” 20 points with 4/9 three-pointers, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.

The coach Joe Mazzula used a rotation of just eight players (!) with him Sam Houser to come off the bench and offer 16 points on 4/8 threes, also covering his miss Peyton Pritchard.

Middleton misses his return

On behalf of Bucks who experienced their 2nd consecutive defeat after this one against the Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukeethe spotlight was on him Chris Middleton and his return to active action after seven months! He didn’t start in the starting five but played 23 minutes, looking visibly affected by his absence. He scored 11 points but was very unhittable on 1/7 2-pointers and 1/3 three-pointers, also having 6/6 shots, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

THE Giannis Antetokounmpo had a “double double” with 30 points (13/24 two-pointers, 0/1 three-pointer, 4/6 shots) and 11 rebounds, while leading scorer for the Bucks was the Damian Lillard with 31 points (8/13 2-pointers, 4/12 3-pointers, 3/3 shots), 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

A “fun fact” of the match has to do with the coexistence of Antetokounmpo, Lillard and Middleton as this was (just) the 43rd time the Bucks’ “bIg three” competed on the floor at the same time.

The appearance of John

• Participation Time: 36′
• Points: 30
• Dinner: 13/24
• Three-pointers: 0/1
• Shots: 4/6
• Rebound 10-1
• Assist: 1
• Mistakes: 1

The twelve minutes: 29-27, 53-57, 78-82, 111-105.

Antonis Kalkavouras comments on this year’s first home defeat of Olympiakos, which, although it overturned a 20-point difference and in the end could have defeated a space rival, was unprepared and is solely responsible for the turn the match took.

The truth is that returning from America and after two weeks filled with seven games at his unimaginable pace NBAI never expected that I would live to see a team that had transferred the speeds of the “magical world” of sports to Europe.

You will say to me “well, you haven’t seen Paris play?”… The answer is that it’s one thing to watch the impressive Parisians on TV and completely different to need ten minutes to recover from the transition game they play and the attacks of the 3 -4 seconds that he sees unfolding in front of him and that they seek to execute on every possession. Regardless of whether they always succeed…

What we saw tonight at Faliro is the epitome of modern basketball, from a team that is not only fireworks, as its rookie coach and veteran Brazilian international center (with a long career in Euroleague and respectable at NBA), Thiago Splitter.

Yes, it is now clear that “but it’s no surprise the way we play, even some crazy shots we take, it’s part of the plan” (claimed the 39-year-old former assistant to Nets and Rockets), but even if it was a surprise to some, it certainly shouldn’t be.

How is it possible not to count on an opponent, which although a newcomer and with only three players with a previous term in the competition (Lo, Ouattara and Hayes), comes to your stadium, having to his credit 9 consecutive victories (and 10 in the last 11 matches) and 5 streaks away from home with an average difference of 10.6 points?

The above question is asked because it was exactly with such a mindset that he faced it Olympicwho knew he was playing a leader’s derby and had a chance to step on the top of the standings.

How else to explain that the “red and white” failed to control the three elements that give the owner’s game eurocup extra dimension and make the already high speed that characterizes it seem unmanageable.

The first has to do with offensive rebounds (2nd in the competition), the second with the most pivotal role that possessions play in modern basketball and the third is about points in transition.

The Piraeus failed miserably (7-15) in the first (here the absence of Wrightwho is out for the season) and in the third and if they didn’t control the possession part (thanks to the unimaginable 4th quarter they did), then they would be flirting with a historic home collapse.

That’s exactly where the match was going after the disastrous first three minutes of the 4th period, when the guests escaped with 20 points (60-80 at 33′) and prompted several of the “red and white” fans to prepare for an early exit.

What happened, however, in the immediately following 3’55”, should not have a precedent in the last quarter of a match of this level! THE Olympic reacted even belatedly to the offensive momentum of the French and found an unimaginable defensive momentum (with forced pressure on the operators), as a result of which he brought the ups and downs and with a 22-0 run turned into a favorite (from a psychological point of view) for the victory .

The fact that against this well-tuned machine, with its tremendous athleticism and speed (but also defensive commitment), its players Bartzoka they made 7 steals, 1 block and had 10/10 shooting and 5/5 shooting in less than 4 minutes (and correspondingly 8 fouls for the Paris), shows the enormous potential they have as a whole.

Also, that after all that happened in the 4th period, Mr Olympic also lost Paris beat (90-96), has a double reading: It was something between self-handling, lack of confidence-clear mind and loss of energy reserves on the part of Piraeus and a show of character (under the weight of unbearable pressure, he had 3/5 three-pointers in the last 3 minutes and while coming from 8/ 31) from a team that hasn’t just started going crazy, but has already made all of European basketball crazy.

With what we saw tonight, I find the well-worn scenario of his team “deflating” really unlikely. Parisquite simply because it is impossible to stay out of the playoffs.

At the same time, however, the real amazing basketball dynamics he presents – as paradoxical as it sounds – gives more value to his over-effort Olympiakou. Really, which other team has managed to threaten them with defeat in the last 50 days, i.e. from the 4th game onwards?

He has defeated all of them cleanly in their seats (Monaco, Alba, Barcelona, Effects and Maccabi)! This, however, should at the same time make him Bartzoka and his players to “hit their heads”, first for the bad image they presented on the floor and the opportunity they gave to Paris and secondly for the even bigger one that they lost in the end to write history and show it to all Europe that this year’s pleasant surprise Euroleague has vulnerabilities.

Because he certainly has, but at the moment they don’t show much… Maybe because their opponents are still rubbing their eyes and don’t believe that the Yantuneno Hifio Ward (the Shorts now the whole world has learned him) and the others completely unknown (until a while ago) to the general public, can win them over…

With her basketball and sword, Paris is now a real favorite to go all the way and the lesson he taught to Olympic it was probably the most useful in the 1st round… Good quality, many attacking solutions and a full frontline, but without toughness in defense, no European trophy was ever won. They also know something about this Panathinaikos who are looking to regain their last year’s defense identity…

Paris found themselves at +20 in the 33rd minute of the match, but Olympiacos impressively managed to turn the situation around and overtake. In the end, the big shots of the French gave them (90-96) their tenth consecutive victory in the Euroleague.

OR Paris continued the impressive performances in the CHEF resulting in him prevailing Olympiakou 90-96 and reach her tenth consecutive victory. Although Piraeus found themselves behind in the score with a 20-point difference in the 33rd minute, they reacted as only they know how and even took the lead 3 minutes before the final. The last three minutes were sensational with the visitors finding big shots at a critical point and leaving victorious.

The “red and white” deserve to be congratulated for their effort in the last quarter since we must not forget that they were forced to compete with only “five” after Nikola Milutinov he was the only healthy center and them Kostas Papanikolaou and Alec Peters to assist in position “5” for some minutes. Of course this condition made the situation even more difficult.

Olympiacos – Paris: The match

The game started with Olympiakos players missing two easy baskets and Paris playing their classic fast-paced style of play (3-7, 4’). The first half found the visitors in control and having an 8 point lead (5-13, 6’). Fournier was the game-changer with the French star of the “red and whites” equalizing in 15-15 (8’) having scored 9 points with the tie to end the period (21-21).

With Papanikolaou in the “5” position the defensive changes could work better, but not the rotations since there was no “fear” under the basket and so Shorts did the 23-30 (12’). Vildoza with a three-pointer and an assist for a basket by Peters brought his team close to the score again (31-32, 14’)but the second foul sent him to the bench. Paris managed to take advantage of the “red and white” mistakes in defense and attack and so despite McKissick scoring the half ended with 44-49.

Olympiacos wanted to enter the game decisively, but the hasty choices and of course the points in Paris’ surprise, did not allow him to be happy. Instead, they put him in a more difficult position with a three-pointer by Malcolm (47-62, 25’). McKissick’s energy on the floor was a way of reacting, but the French and Iffy kept their cool (54-67, 27’).

The final period started with a score 60-73 and as it was understood, if several things did not change shockingly on the floor, Olympiacos would hardly claim the victory. The Paris players stayed true to their plan, Bartzokas having no other solution tried a formation with a tall pair of Vezenkov – Peters without success (60-78, 33’). Three steals led to 6 quick and easy points from Goss and Fournier for the 73-80 (36’). Suddenly the tempo had changed, Paris made many mistakes thanks to the pressure of the home defense.

Vildosa and Fournier stole balls and thanks to a three-pointer by Peters and a lay-up by the Argentinian, Olympiacos tied at 80 points (37′). SEF’s downhill was unstoppable, the defenses came out one after the other and the Piraeus took the lead with Gos’ shots (82-80). However, the visitors found 2/2 three-pointers and overtook again with 82-86 (39’). Vezenkov and Goss equalized. Vildoza missed a three-pointer that would have put his side back in front, which Law eventually scored with his own well-timed effort from 6.75 (86-89, 20” before expiration). During this time several phases followed with Fournier keeping Olympiakos alive with a three-pointer, but in the end the French kept their cool and won 90-96.

WHERE JUDGED: In the 33rd minute, Paris was leading by 60-80. What followed was a “red and white” 22-0 that put the Piraeus ahead 82-80. Then Paris found three well-placed 3-pointers and it was 86-89. Fournier with 1/2 shots and Yadune with a nail made it 87-91, but the French guard of Olympiakos hit a three-pointer (90-91). Law kept his cool on the shots (90-93) with 5.7 seconds left. Fournier fouled the throwback and the game was over.

BEST OF ALL: TJ Shorts finished with 21 points (6/8fg, 6/13d, 1/2fg), 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 turnovers. Hadir Ifi was also very good with 20 points (4/4b., 2/2d., 4/12tr.).

THEY EXPECTED MORE: In general, the Olympiakos players did not play well.

COMPETITORS IN VICTORY: Big help from Ward with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.

HIS PERFORMANCE WENT: In the last seven minutes, Vildosa (5 points, 3 points, 2 steals), Fournier (25 points) and Williams-Goss (12 points) improved their performance, but it was not enough.

MATCH STATISTICS: Olympiacos had 18 assists for 14 errors and Paris 20 for 19. The French hit 12 three-pointers.

NEXT EUROLEAGUE COMMITMENT: Olympiacos plays in Belgrade with Red Star. Paris face Villeurbanne away,

The quarters: 21-21, 44-49, 60-73, 90-96

The analysis of the head referee, Stéphane Lanois, on the disputed phases of the last matches of the Greek Cup. According to the Frenchman, AEK should have received a penalty for Moron’s hand and Brosson should have been sent off, while Unai was correctly not given a penalty.

O Stéphane Lanois she makes a habit of analyzing the controversial phases of each of her matches Stoiximan Superleaguebut this time he released a similar referee training video for his matches as well Greek Cup.

According to the French referee in his rematch Mars with her AEK his goal was correctly disallowed Gacinovic for his hand Lookbut Union had to get a penalty for his hand Moron. As for the Fearless – Panathinaikos the Lanois argues that the Unai he overdid it to get a penalty, while the Greens are rightly protesting that he wasn’t sent off Brorson.

There is also extensive reference to the… alalum made in Panachaic – Kifissiawhere the home team played a few minutes with 11 players, despite having a player sent off.

Lanois’ analysis:

For Gacinovic’s disallowed goal by Koita: “The player maintains control of the ball with his right hand and creates offensive energy that results in a goal. We are waiting for the intervention of the VAR and cancellation of the goal”.

For the hand of Moron in the region of Mars: “In this case the defender jumps with his hand in an unnatural position too high making his body bigger to stop the cross. We expect a penalty and VAR intervention to be awarded.”

For the dismissal of Bernardo in Volos – OFI: «The player risks the safety of his opponent by tackling with great speed, intensity and with the cleats just above his ankle. We expect a red card for a dangerous foul and VAR intervention.”

For the penalty awarded to Unai: “Here there is no evidence of contact with the assailant’s leg. The attacker exaggerates the possible contact in order to win a penalty. The referee has an excellent position and gave an indirect foul for drama.”

For Brosson’s marking on Unai who was given a yellow card: “The player risks the safety of his opponent by tackling with great speed, intensity and with his leg high on the opponent’s knee, with no chance of playing the ball. We expect a red card for a dangerous foul and VAR intervention.”

For Panachaiki – Kifissia: “To replace a player the following must be observed: The referee must be informed before any change. The player, who is substituted, must receive the referee’s permission to leave the field of play, but in this case he remained on the field of play. The substitution is completed when the substitute enters the field of play. The quarterback may not return to the substitute to enter the field of play until the player being substituted comes off.”

Let’s see when the Big-5 will “clash” against each other during the regular season from the New Year and before the Play Offs.

The 2025 schedule was released today, regarding the regular season games Stoiximan Super League for the current period.

Let’s see in more detail when the regular season derbies will be held next year.

17 Competitive
5/1: Panathinaikos-PAOK (20:30)

18th matchday
11/1: Olympiacos-Aris (20:30)

19th matchday
19/1: Aris-PAOK (19:00), Panathinaikos-AEK (20:30)

20th matchday
26/1: Olympiacos-Panathinaikos (20:30)

21st matchday
2/2: PAOK-AEK (19:30)

22nd matchday
9/2: Aris-Panathinaikos (19:30)

24th matchday
23/2: Olympiacos-PAOK (20:30)

25th matchday
2/3: AEK-Olympiakos (20:30)

26th matchday
9/3: Aris-AEK (19:00)

Dimitris Konstantinidis writes about the deficient image of Panathinaikos in the last month, the questions that arise (competitive and non-competitive) from it and the issue of “chemistry” that must be resolved immediately.

To answer the question in the title first… Ok, not yet! But this is not the only issue. Whether it’s early or late in the season. So that we don’t make fun of each other, of course, when you talk about a team that has the talent, quality and experience of Panathinaikou both on the court and on the edge of his bench and enters the season with the title of champion Europe (after…film season) the first thing to do when looking towards (her) future is…hold your butt.

That’s how it is. The fans of the team keep the faith because of the achievement of the previous season and the rest of us who watch judge, comment – also because of this title – we have to be more moderate in seeing the – not a few – wrongs that arise from his actions Panathinaikou in the last month. Where the 3-4, at Euroleagueis the best account the Greens could have of their image. Most likely it would have been something even worse, but the shirt and the individual class spoke in matches like with Barcelona and the Maccabi at OAKA or her Virtues at Bologna.

But let’s go to the beginning… Is “it’s still early” valid or is it a good excuse to sweep problems under the rug? As for us still being at the point in the season where nothing is even close to being decided, we agree that yes it is early. And calendar wise, we’re now into December and the regular season ends on April 11th. We have gone through a little more than 1/3 of the program, so we still have “bread” ahead of us. All this, combined with his roster Panathinaikoujustify the “early”. But if there is one thing that would make one more optimistic about the future of the European champions it would be the realization of what is wrong with the team at the moment and is well below their own standards. Not from the excessive expectation that some had that he would enter this year’s Euroleague like a train up to final four. We are talking about what one should expect – realistically – from a set that has been tried and tested, to which three (apparently) excellent additions were made. “Apparently” has nothing to do with Brown’s value, his Osman and his Yurtseven but with the fact that a player is “good” when he manages to “click” into the whole and offer what he was acquired for.

One last year, another this year

I think it is wrong to judge his course Panathinaikoubased on the corresponding last year, at the same point in time. If a new team in 10/12 comes to be compared to the one that welcomed three new players and said goodbye to two that did not give them anything special (Vildosa, Balcherovskyas the Guy left early) there is a problem somewhere. This approach would have a basis if the project that started last year had a depth of three years. But the Dimitris Giannakopoulos asked him Ataman the cup, he seized the challenge, beyond all logic he announced the conquest since November and succeeded. So o Panathinaikosis not focused on growth but mainly on success. In his eighth star. This is what it brings out repeatedly – outwardly – as an organization, this is what we must aim for and judge based on this.

So if we go to see the image of the contender Panathinaikouthis season we will see some things that are corrected, some that you don’t know how much they improve and enough that are troubling. Granted, always, that we always talk about him Panathinaikos which is a category in itself.

I’ll explain… The 2024 title came because from some point onward the Greens, in addition to their attacking talent and the boost given to them by the integration of Nan, became beasts in defense. No matter what those who think that basketball is good dunks and three-pointers from 8 meters say, if you don’t get rained on…poop at the back of the court, you don’t get a cup. You won’t always score 90+ and there will be teams that will beat you mercilessly to stop you. The bright roster of Panathinaikos became a fight club last year in order to survive and it succeeded. The problem though is that this season not only is he not doing the same (especially in the last month) but he is also a step back in trying to play like that. Another year weighing on anyone’s back? Because some are trying to do it when they see that the rest are not following do they give up too? Do they demand more respect from the referee because they wear the crown? Whatever is happening from the above or more, there is a problem.

Can he win just by attacking?

This problem comes and grows when the (sporting) boss of the team does not seem to understand what exactly is going on. I can’t speak (and who am I to?) to Ataman’s size and basketball intelligence, but some of the samples are alarming. Let’s say that exaggerated statements like this “I have to teach my players to box” after the defeat in Belgrade are justified especially when they are made in the flash interview with the pulses still high. But even if it is true, why haven’t you done it yet, that’s the question! Before the fight with her Barcelona but the Turkish coach said: “With Monaco, we didn’t lose because of the defense, but because of the mistakes we made in the attack, especially in the last period”. So – with this logic – should we conclude that Panathinaikos, which has conceded an average of 90 points, in its last three games always wants to score 91+ to hope that it will win? If this is the case, let me remind you that their most important victory, in the current season, the Greens achieved it in CHEF holding him Olympic at 71 points. And that after the double in Bologna with the hosts staying at 77, statements were made announcing that “the switch is turning from here on out”.

If we want to tell the whole truth is that his image Panathinaikos it shows that something is wrong with the chemistry within the team. Something’s wrong. Apart from the incident with him Papapetrouwhere it became clear that there is an internal murmur about the minutes of participation by some and the message was initially given to the weakest link (although I don’t know how much one of the team leaders is like that), there were also statements like those of Brown “me and o Sloukas we are dominant guards and maybe we have to find a way to alternate” and of course his nerves are always in the foreground Nan. Which do not manifest themselves because something is happening within the group, but they come and burst – successively – on it.

The need to solve everything within the group

Don’t laugh. Almost all teams go through such situations, especially those that have a lot of stars who want the playing time they think they deserve. After the season of “resurrection” where its course created a great atmosphere of unity and militancy, as well as with a roster often numerically deficient, the Panathinaikos he achieved step by step the (apparently) impossible, several players once again put themselves more in the shoes of the star and in their own way “demand” things. Especially when they see the roster opening up with players they can cut from their own time. But a high-level and championship organization must also expect and manage all of this. Because, at the end of the day, no matter how much you are a brand, you are just a unit of the whole. And basketball is not an individual sport. So you who pay also set the rules. And here there is a problem that also concerns him Atamanas his profile is not so much to do with the “family” approach, but with “you are a professional, go in and do the right thing”. He will not particularly deal with everyone’s psychological issues. So, if this is indeed the case, someone else has to solve it. As does the group itself for its survival.

In my eyes this is the good scenario for his course Panathinaikou. With a little… gas these are solved. What I’m waiting to see is if there really is competitive chemistry in the famous strike line that is the Green guards or if there are also age issues that load with additional problems (small but important when the matches are consecutive) key players. With a (consistent) “dog” in defense only him Grant and the first sample with Brown, Sluka, Nan at the same time, being negative warrants serious consideration. A counterpart that also exists in “5” with Lessor being asked to make a superhero season again. The fact that he likes to play from 28 to 30+ minutes does not mean that he will endure it even when Yurtseven is lighter than rice wafers and Mitoglouwhom the Ataman reached his second 5-pointer, he is looking to find his best self (not in the three-pointer but in the painted one).

So yeah…it’s early. And for him Panathinaikos and for everyone in Euroleague. Negative or positive streaks (such as They were partisans which rode the wave in its headquarters mainly) will continue. Anyone who questions its quality Panathinaikou he will obviously pay for it. Although I’m not a…fanatic (quite the opposite) the Greens will always get extra power from their people. But the reality says that at the moment their image does not refer to a team that, even if it enters the play-offs with a home disadvantage, will easily break the opposing home. But “at this moment”, all that. Good for him Panathinaikos is that he himself is the most responsible for making his “moments”. If he hasn’t fallen in love with himself more than he should in front of the mirror with the crown on his head.

Giorgos Tsakiris highlights the work done by Almeida so that we can see the situation in which the French forward and the Mexican midfielder are…

It seems that the most likely scenario has come to mind Matias Almeida about the core of its starting line-up AEK and especially regarding persons who make a difference, for others we knew about it and there were analyzes and discussions about its use, for others that came September we were all waiting to find out. I imagine himself too Pelado through the trainings, the mood and effort in them and then in practice, on the grass and in official matches. Obviously the reference above and this text focuses on Orbelin Pineda and Anthony Martial which, as expected, turn out to be very important and pivotal for AEK’s game.

Let’s start with him French ace, who regardless of what happens from here on, has proven that he came to Greece and chose the Union, in order to achieve an important restart in his career. For its 29-year-old star Biceps and his Greek football, the issue was initially personal: if he had the guts to return to the pitches with a leading role and not for formal and simply financial reasons (to collect a large salary and … sit). Then there had to be an appropriate program of training and reintegration into an active role on the playing fields by Almeida and his partners and especially the gymnast (for starters) in order to find it properly and smoothly in order to return effectively and not formally to the games.

That’s how it happened… The fact that o Anthony Martial who had no previous common course with him Peladowhen he scored against Aris for the championship in the 4th, he ran to dedicate the goal he scored to Almeida. He did it to show that he recognizes the work he did with him, on a competitive and mental level, that he prepared him properly and started to put him in the… equation when he had to for his proper and effective inclusion in the starting line-up to come about . He came towards his last ten days September and first substantial participation was in the game with the Serres on the 26th October where it appeared that he is good, he is reaching the desired level and he just needs matches and rhythm… Let’s not forget that the French star had to fight from December of 2023, one year back commonly from today…

The freshness of Pinedas is clear, an excellent management plan…

Something that we should all highlight and let the majority of the world understand everything from such reactions, because everyone understands. It should be noted by all that the work done with him Martial it was excellent and it brought results and in fact the utilization concerns the left end of the attack and not as a forward who can play naturally! After a lot of talking, essential competitive analysis of the team’s game, the Greek league and teammates, the whole package was the right one. Something the 29-year-old recognizes French star who proves it in his everyday life that he feels great with his decision to finally choose to come to Greece for her sake AEK.

Accordingly, the management in Orbelin Pineda who is presented in the matches where he is used by Matias Almeida who fresher than ever. His runs in the matchups he is now using are on par and actually better than his first year in the AEK. As well as his measurements now according to the report… Because it is a fact that he went for 2 years non-stop with continuous matches and trips across the Atlantic, without holidays in the summer due to obligations with the Mexicowithout having participated in a basic stage of preparation with her Joinin one of his two summers with the team. Those in the know can and do recognize the freshness of the international Mexican midfielder in the power he produces and his runs.

THE Matias Almeida of course he had talked enough with him, people were wrongly looking for other reasons why he didn’t play “Magito“, that something is wrong with him Pelado and with the summer soap opera about his repatriation. Of course, there were also the opposing media who intentionally added fuel to the fire (and ours got stung) as a result of which there was a prolonged conversation about the event and let the Argentinean technician that there is a plan for him Pinedaand let everyone know that he is completely his “child”, and let it seem like there was no problem, in the wrong results the discussion reappeared and had the same agenda: it is impossible for Pineda not to play the main role! A logical conclusion, but damn it’s impossible that Almeida didn’t know about it first…

The result of proper management with Martial and Pineda… the grass talks by itself!

Hyg: As we mentioned in Anthony Martial and Orbelin Pineda and we recognize the excellent work done with these individuals by Almeida and the technical team in general, there are also Lamella and Pereira from whom the public still expects since, with very few exceptions, they have not offered the minimum they owe based on their quality, experience and performances, but also their remuneration… Certainly, as far as Lamela is concerned, the fact that he stayed back a considerable amount of time and while he was going well, he had started strong. For Pereira, I think that the position chosen (at “8” while we knew him as an extreme striker and 10-man) also plays a role, as well as his partners, because it is different to play with Pineda, for example, than with anyone else in the midfield … The good thing in these two cases is that she has to wait AEK and the Pelado to get things in the rest of the season from two very important football players, let’s see…

The K. Nikolakopoulos tries through his blog in Gazzetta to answer the question about the experienced Portuguese ace.

The second leg of the Cup with Kallithea was one of the rare games in which we have seen Sergio Oliveira in the starting line-up, so it is interesting to analyze his performance a bit.

First of allMendiliber put him again, probably for lack of another, not in a central midfield role which is his position, but further forward, something between forward El Kaabi and the two midfielders, Ese and Stamenic. Usually the coach wants this position in a more attacking role, but Oliveira would not be able to cope with playing so high. Thus, there were several times when he turned back and played the third midfielder, which on the one hand gave Olympiacos even greater control in the midfield, on the other hand it did not deprive the team of an additional offensive solution, with the result that e.g. the centers that became the Kallithea area were rarely “full” as they should have been.

The experienced The Portuguese confirmed in the game what we knew, namely that he has a good right foot, which can threaten, but also create, mainly through the process of the static phases and not only. The direct free kick to the goalkeeper’s left post was good, and even better was the free kick from the left side of the cross that brought El Kaabi’s header disallowed for marginally offside. And some of his other corner kicks were interesting, such as the one that brought the ball towards the penalty spot rather than finding El Kaabi’s back and ending up at the feet of Velde for 1-1. In addition, sometimes he changed the game well and sometimes he passed good to very good passes – and one of his crosses was good for Kostoulas to shoot from a good position.

From the otherhe had several mistakes and bad balls, but I think that what makes the coach have him No. 5 in the hierarchy of central midfielders behind Mouzakiti, Garcia, Ese, Stamenic is that Oliveira’s game does not bring out enough energy and intensity , especially in the inhibitory part. Olympiakos’ game relies heavily on not letting the opposition play – and this is achieved by stealing the ball, winning second balls and winning duels. Here, the Portuguese is almost absent. With his experience he might have some ball recoveries, but that’s about it. In his two 90 minutes with Kallithea in the Cup he had one tackle to break.

He gives you the impression, thus, that it makes sense to play only in matches with small and medium-sized opponents and only to try to create. In fact, precisely because he doesn’t respond to the coach’s demands in the roles of 6 and 8, he basically only puts him in the role of 10 behind the forward, only Oliveira is not a 10 and he doesn’t stand out there either, as we saw him in the match with Atromitos in Karaiskakis and in the derby with Panathinaikos in OAKA.

I would say that Medilibar is afraid to trust him more because e.g. he can easily lose the ball and the opponent comes out on the counterattack. And in general I think that for the Portuguese to have a chance to play in Olympiakos, he will have to play in much higher turns, which is unknown if he can do that.

By the way, I don’t remember a game in which Oliveira has played and Olympiacos has done anything interesting offensively. See 0-0 with Panaitolikos, 1-2 with Aris, 0-0 with PAO, 1-0 with Kallithea, 2-0 with Atromitos (1-0 with a penalty while playing), 1-1 with Kallithea.

Irrelevant: The noises we hear about refereeing, so far at least, clearly arise from the need of the noisemakers to justify their various internal problems, gaps, weaknesses and with the aim of getting a whistle in the next game. They win-lose it seems they shout out of habit, sometimes even in Europe…

Photo of the day:

Right away his next game after the 2-0 over OFI with his own first goal, Biancone had a really good presence the day before yesterday in the Cup match, but without avoiding his incredibly bad positioning in Kallithea’s attack for 0-1, confirming that there is an issue in this track.

And it is a shame because in general we saw a good image again from the Frenchman. Clearing crosses with his head, making good covers, repeatedly getting to the ball first, making some good passes forward and also having the confidence to attack with 40 and 50 meter runs that resulted in either a shot cross in a corner the goalkeeper, or in some crosses.

It looks like for Biancone to have covered the lost ground and to be at the level of Retsu’s alternative option closer than Doi, who took the opportunity yesterday after 1.5 months, since that unfortunate match (2-2) with Levadeiakos, in which he had scored a penalty.

The truthhowever, is that Doe, despite having some time to play, also made a good appearance yesterday. With several very effective interventions, sometimes critical, but also willing to help forward, either by heading in a corner, or passing a vertical pass to Masoura, or daring a long-range shot (albeit a very misguided one) seeing that the “bus” of Kallithea does not break sometime.

It showed Doe good degree of readiness and that is always good for the coach, to know that he has five ready-to-fight central defenders!

And finally an emoji 😯 for the phase of the elimination in the 2nd minute in the final of the Libertadores, in a phase when…Sidiropoulos would get a yellow card (didn’t he do the same with Brignoli?)

Libertadores final today and this was the first event in the match. 😂
pic.twitter.com/0luPbFtkmj

— fokionas77 (@Fokionas77) November 30, 2024

Dimitris Melissanidis characterized the return of AEK to New Philadelphia and the new stadium as a historical imperative, moving in his introductory note to the book on the 100 years of the Union’s history.

In a touching dedication that touches every friend of hers AEK proceeded o Dimitris Melissanidis in the context of its circulation new book for the 100 years team history.

Its former administrative leader Union attended the presentation of the book “100 years of AEK” of Gerasimos Gasparinatos and Andreas Dimatos held at the “Michalis Kakogiannis” foundation, which includes a lengthy introductory note on the first pages with references to the long history of Dikephalos as well as the return to New Philadelphia in his days.

Among other things, he characterized “Agia Sophia” as a huge debt, while he stated that he still thanks God for allowing him to implement the ambitious plan of the club’s return to its historic headquarters.

Dimitris Melissanidis’ editorial in detail:

“Our team’s stadium in New Philadelphia is a sacred pilgrimage for all of us AEK friends. It is the place where our grandparents, our fathers, our friends took us for the first time and we felt the magic of this group.
In these concretes where we admired, many times standing up and trying to get visual contact with the pitch, all the great players of the past, where for the first time I saw Kostas Nestoridis driving teammates and opponents crazy, where we understood that this team this is something completely special, it represents something very big!

For every team in the world their home is the most important component of their operation. For AEK, however, and for its own historical development, this is something even more important. It is about the place where a handful of people, violently uprooted from their ancestral homes, managed to house their dreams and hopes for a better life again.
They watered the soil of New Philadelphia with their blood and sweat, fought with their own hands to create the housing conditions of the group, which embodied their values ​​and ideals, and laid their very lives there, before they even had a home. themselves.

Through the gates of this stadium our founders returned to their own unforgettable homelands, through the doors of the new stadium the new fans of the team meet again its history. This stadium is a mascot. It’s a legacy. It’s the story itself. It is AEK itself.

I will never stop thanking God for being so good to me and allowing me to carry out the grand plan of bringing our team back to New Philadelphia. It wasn’t a personal obsession, it wasn’t a promise I had to keep, it wasn’t a matter of vanity or afterthought. It was a heavy debt, a historical imperative. A huge and heavy “must”!

And I am really glad to hold in my hands this edition, written by two people with whom I worked at AEK and whom I deeply appreciate, and it analyzes extensively and in historical detail what we, those of us who believed in this great goal, have been saying from the very beginning: that AEK cannot exist without its stadium in New Philadelphia. That AEK would be unfortified forever, without the new walls of Hagia Sophia.

Because AEK grew over the years, shortly after its foundation, alongside this stadium. It became great as the stands of its stadium grew taller slowly and with the enormous effort of many people, who may have remained in the shadows of history. With incredible sacrifices in a field that he did not find ready, but he created it step by step in very difficult times. From the first small stand, shortly after the war, to the covered platform of Lukas Barlos.

It took them a long time, but this pitch from the first moment reflected the pride and the refugee household. AEK sacrificed a lot until this stadium became its pride and one of the most beautiful stadiums in the country. In both cases she built it herself! He went through teammates, he lived through big competitive crises, but he had a goal and a vision.

We also started from scratch. The same vision guided us. In other circumstances, completely different, but with equally enormous difficulties. We endured, we fought, we won! We too sacrificed a lot and we felt at times that the whole world was against us, but we still had to house our history and accordingly create the strong bases for the team to step on, to reconnect with its roots.

It’s really creepy the identical details of the match for the AEK stadium in two completely different seasons. And then and now. And it is truly liberating, that they are captured in this deluxe edition, in order to be forever etched in history. And to teach everyone how identical the history of this great team is with the evolution of the creation of its stadium.

The then and the now are accommodated with historical accuracy in the pages of this edition. I invite all AEK friends to enjoy it. For the old to remember, for the younger to be taught exactly what every inch of this field means and reflects.

An anthem to the 100 years of our team’s history!»