Europa League: in Marseille, “all the players are talented”, fears the AEK Athens coach

“We changed the image that people had of AEK Athens,” assured the Greek club's coach Matias Almeyda on Wednesday, on the eve of his team's match against OM for the fourth day of the Europa League. .

Second in Group B with four points, AEK trails OM by one unit and could take the lead in the group in the event of a victory in Athens on Thursday (9:00 p.m.). “There is a difference between the way people viewed us at the time of the draw and today,” said Matias Almeyda. “We are a group of enthusiasts, who never give up, who want to advance in each competition,” he added.

“In life when someone shows passion, respect and love for what they do, when we are united, there are no limits. We are free people who pursue their goals,” also assured the former Inter Milan player.

The AEK coach also did not want to dramatize the defeat of the first leg at the Stade Vélodrome (3-1) and the stakes of the return match. “We know the importance of this match but we always try to separate the pressure from football. We will have to build on what we did well in the first leg. If we succeed, we will be able to put on a great match against a great team. We have the weapons, the quality and a big desire,” he assured.

The Argentine coach took the opportunity to salute the quality of the Marseille squad and pay tribute to the work of Gennaro Gattuso since his arrival on the OM sidelines. “There has been change. He transmits passion. They exert strong pressure in certain areas of the pitch, they have several offensive alternatives, all the players are talented, they have a large squad. Gattuso is establishing his style. I really like it,” he said.