REY

Very interesting match under way. If we just keep untouched here, interesting continuation of the SL will come on for us.

The match was lost due to the fact that Mantzios wasn't brave enough to keep putting Bertoglio over Sasha from the start, plus Lopez probably was a better option in this match to start at ST. Was not necessary to put 3 C(D)Ms without a central creative AM for this one, since his job was safe whatever result it was destined to be, but with less pusy midfield approach in the first half could make him even bigger hero not losing to Oly eventually, and making play more AMs from the start. I said that for a ST position (Lopez over Mano), assuming that Larisa match still didn't happened and Manos didn't score 2. Regardless, I still consider Lopez a smarter player, but not necessarily a better striker, let me not be misunderstood.

The biggest plus, apart from 3 pts of course, in this match was a solid display of Mateo finally. Probably, the meeting Mantzio-Mateo gave fruits, plus certain tactical adjustments agreed between the two. Nevertheless, it was good to see him involved more in the game.

Good response and recovery after Oly loss, so psychology keeps being high. Bravo

5 mins and Larisa already made more than what we did against Oly in 90 mins

Krima, paidia. I was really sure that we would be quite competitive in this one from 1' to 90' without a doubt. We looked very mature in the start of the season in the extent not to be losing 0-2 @home @46'

Sure, having Sasha over one attacking player, plus Manos over intelligent Cristian Lopez, who loves playing ball, plus deforme Garcia, and that is why we look like we have 9, 10 players in line ip

This is a bit disappointing. Having matilla-sasha-jeggo did produce some wall that prevented and intercepted many attacks of olympiakos, but creativity and pass accuracy wise, it was much worse, plus Jeggo is worse with the two. In attack I had a feeling like we were a player or 2 down compared to Oly, like we have had no player to pass to when we are close to their box. Against a weaker opponent it is exactly how I felt that we had always a player or two up which was tearing the opposition apart in the second half whenever we gathered 3 points. This means that our mentality is bad these days, playing olympiakos, and it needs to be changed in the second half, for the beginning. Being in lower divisions, plus 7 successive losses against this same opponent, and certain other factors, built up this mentality. Simply, the leadership is missing. Ronaldo Guiaro, Koke, Nafti, Neto had it all, plus home advantage, made us super competitive under Cuper, etc., back in the day, and all of which is missing today for example. For even older successful generations, I don't want to even mention how heartful they used to be.

Bad movements upfront. A decade ago we used to cause them all sorts of problems at home. That Koke, Javito, Nafti generation was tough as hell for them, fighting hard for every ball.

This simply isn't good enough. Yes, we were taking them away from our goal mostly, and still two errors of ours caused 2 dangerous situations for them. Then a free kick came and amateurish defending there. Come on guys. You can do better than this incoherent display upfront

Key to success until the end of the season: 1. Keep the great atmosphere under Karipidis as it has been almost from day 1 he arrived 2. Keep splitting Matilla-Sasha partnership from 1st minute as it has been executed with Jeggo 3. Revitalization of Sundgren that made Ganea on bench, plus made more competition at wing-backs 4. Splitting the partnership of Datković from 1st minute with any player Rose or Delizissis (Benalouane in, of course I don't wish anyone got injured for execution of this) 5. Benalouane converting to Ronaldo Guiaro type by each match coming and not converting to Mavrai, if you understand me 6. Get away from injuries (depending on other natural factors as well, I know) 7. Garcia and Silva producing at least as much as Fetfatzidis in terms of assists and goals, by sharing minutes or in any way suitable for a team to be effective (and probably more than that). 8. A striker position needs to produce more in terms of goals, and not act exclusively as another offensive midfielder inside or acting like 'virtual' No.9 position only for the sake of filling in that position A Top 3 guarantee almost. For Top 2, a certain more issues or most of these above need to be put together. Very important for the psychology of the team to keep going and slip as late in the season as possible, so there is something to fight for until the end, and not like the last season where playoffs were pain in the A to watch.

Bertoglio in for Garcia. Ok, but, Xande keeps sucking in his second match. Very bad, his first match was somewhat very promising.

Time for some changes, I guess

Don't sell fish there Mateo, for God's sake

Problem is you have Silva and Garcia who want ball to be given to, in order to run and threaten the opposing goal, and not liking too much to be involved with ball, actions, creating etc. as much as for example Fetfatzidis wanted, or even that fighter Mancini, or even Bertoglio. As a result, you have Aris who cannot string more than 2 passes in successiveness.

I didn't like this first half by any means, especially after the goal

Well done, Aris Thessaloniki, well donee!

This Sundgren is a good game reader and quite intelligent man.

Good second half really so far. We have eaten them alive, energy, pace etc. Just 1:0 is making me afraid, still.

Another set up chance for Xande by our more experienced attacking magicians, and he misses

Gama and Garcia picked up their games, plus Asteras are more less open to play football. Much room for our attacks as well. Xande poor in his first try. Good counter.

Xande Silva in for Mancini

Brighter start of the second, almost 2:0 in short time

Shaky start, a bit clumsy Benalouane so far

1:0 telos. Unnecessary complications in the second half. Hard fought match. A lot of room to improve still. And another example why Greek refs aren't to be trusted, but now technology is there to correct something.