No Champions League, No Greek Cup, No Bajevic? AEK Athens Can’t Work Like This.
By: Chris Paraskevas | June 1st, 2009It was in the post-match reflections of AEK Athens manager Dusan Bajevic that the greatest insight into AEK Athens’ current plight can be made.
The Serbian tactician spoke of the fact that the club cannot continue in its current vein and that he would not be staying if changes are not made next season; clearly, the effects of the departure of two presidents within the space of a season, combined with the financial difficulties of the club, have all taken their toll.
The 2-0 play-off defeat at home to Panathinaikos, thus confirming the absence of UEFA Champions League football and a chance at the crucial financial windfall it brings, is merely the tip of the iceberg as far as AEK’s problems are concerned.
Whilst the performance was particularly disappointing and certainly not in the same vein as the stirring display against Olympiakos in that Greek Cup Final, it is a credit to Bajevic that the side have remained in contention for such prizes for this long in the season despite a conspicuous lack of depth and quality.
Yours truly had mentioned previously that the squad had potential but the fact remains that in its current state this squad can only consider the likes of Sotiris Kyrgiakos, Ismael Blanco and Ignacio Scocco of true class, with major reconstructing of the squad needed next season.
That of course will only come about within the scope of a larger administrative and financial change within the club, to which there doesn’t seem an immediate solution.
Bajevic’s post-match comments about the dissatisfaction with a season where the club have come so close but yet so far came alongside suggestions that he would be leaving if solutions aren’t found to some of its more pressing problems:
“AEK cannot work like that.”
Agreed.
Category: AEK Athens Team News
Tags: AEK Athens, AEK Athens Team News, Dusan Bajevic, Greek Cup, Greek Super League Play-Offs, Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, UEFA Champions LeagueSubscribe
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