Greece

Bajevic: Panathinaikos Match Not A Final

It's only a league encounter - that's the message from AEK Athens manager Dusan Bajevic ahead of Sunday's Athenian derby...

Jan 3, 2009 9:33:34 AM

Greek Super League: OFI-AEK / Dusan Bajevic (INTIME)

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Greek Super League: OFI-AEK / Dusan Bajevic (INTIME)

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Dusan Bajevic

Ahead of his side’s derby clash with Panathinaikos on Sunday, AEK Athens manager Dusan Bajevic insists his side will not treat the game as a “final”.

With the Greek Super League set to resume this weekend after a Christmas break, AEK currently sit in fourth place, twelve points behind league leaders Olympiakos.

They are five points behind Panathinaikos in third and, whilst Bajevic has already claimed a title challenge is virtually impossible at this stage of the season, securing Champions League football for next season will certainly be a priority.

Quoted by his club’s official website ahead of the match, the Serb said the meeting with Henk Ten Cate’s Athenian outfit was not a “final”.

“I don’t want to describe the match as a final but it is an important match,” Bajevic said. “It’s like any other match, only a derby.”

The former Olympiakos manager has developed a reputation for being something of a master at guiding his side’s to derby victories and understands the significance of his AEK side’s next match.

“The match is extremely important for both sides,” Bajevic said.

“It is true that when you win a match your psychology changes, which is what we need.

“In these situations the fans are always waiting for you to win the derbies.”

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com