ΟΛΟ το ρεπορτάζ της ΑΕΚ στα Αγγλικά!

AEK started the season this past Sunday at OAKA were we came up against Xanthi. Boy what a start to the first game of the season it was. We found ourselves ahead after just 7 minutes after a sliding tap in by Hugo Almedia after a nice cross from the left side by Rodriguez.

Just three minutes after that our captain Petros Mandalos made it 2-0 with a nice glancing header after yet another delicious service from the left wing by Rodriguez who really impressed me. Then, 2 minutes after that Younes pulled one back for Xanthi after the ball fell kindly to his feet after a challenge by Didac.

Three minutes after that in the 15th minute Hugo Almedia popped up with the ball at his feet after we dispossessed Xanthi and from about 30 to 35 yards out unleashed a rocket that nestled in the back of the net. What a cracker by the Portuguese striker. That made it 4 goals in just 15 minutes at the OAKA something that you don’t usually see all that often. The game calmed down after we took our 3-1 lead. We managed the game pretty well after Hugo’s second goal, and took our 3-1 lead to the break.

In the second half in the 76th minute Didac scored a scrappy goal but a goal that put the icing on the cake and one that insured the three points were coming our way. I was pretty impressed with the team on Sunday. Hugo looks like he knows where the net is, Rodriguez looked solid down the wings, and the defensive paring of Lescott and Chygrynskiy looked solid after the little hiccup when we conceded in the 12th minute. Also Galo looked pretty decent, I love his overlapping play. He loves to get forward and I love an outside back that gets into the attack well.

All in all, it was a solid performance and start to the season. There is still room for improvement however, there always is. The one question that I have is Lambropoulo in the center defensive mid position, I understand that you need a physical player who wins a lot of balls in the middle of the park but I don’t think that he’s the player for this. I guess we shall see, prove me wrong Lambrako.

Our next match is away to Veria on Saturday at 1, who got smashed 6-1 to Olympiaco over the weekend. This is a must win type game for us, we have to make sure that we get those three points and put on a strong showing in Veria. Good start to the season lads, more to come, more to come…

George Angelidis, New York