Bajevic Calls For Change At AEK

AEK Athens boss Dusan Bajevic has already called for change after seeing his new side struggle to a somewhat fortuitous 1-1 draw away against struggling OFI Crete.

Unable to break down Ioannis Matzourakis’ side until they fell behind to a Giannis Taralidis strike late in the second-half, the visitors showed symptoms of the same problems in attack that plagued former manager Giorgios Donis.

Had it not been for Manolis Roubakis’ 84th minute sending off and the subsequent ease with which AEK began to create chances, Pantelis Kafes might not have been able to rescue the Athenians from defeat.

Fortunately for them, a disastrous start to Dusan Bajevic’s reign was avoided, though it has become clear that the Serbian manager has a long season ahead of him.

Quoted by Greek sports website Sportnet, the 60 year-old gave an honest analysis of his side’s performance at the Pankritiko – and the potential difficulties he will need to overcome.

“We have to correct some things.” Bajevic said. "Our biggest problem is composure on the pitch and discipline when marking.

“We lose the ball and conceded too easily. Fortunately, we equalized.”

However, the former Olmpiakos manager refused to single out individual player performances, insisting that his problems were team-based.

“I don’t want to blame anyone.We need to change things tactically, break some of our habits. We need teamwork.

“We need to be faster and more efficient, to move the ball and not look at it.”


Chris Paraskevas