Babis Lykogiannis has completed a return to Greek football after 11 years abroad, joining AEK Athens, the reigning Greek champions. The defender discussed the move on Monday, August 24, in an interview on protothema.gr's new talk show, The Football Show.
Lykogiannis is a Greece international full back who left Greek football 11 years ago, playing in Austria before moving to Italy, most recently with Bologna in Serie A, one of Europe's leading leagues. His contract at Bologna had just ended when the move to AEK came together.
He said 11 years is a very long time, and that it was a special feeling to return to Greece and wear the AEK shirt. He said he had already begun training with his new club and was eager to be ready as soon as possible. He said that when he left for Austria, he told himself he would return one day, and that he comes back more mature, more ready and with plenty of experience, mainly gained in Italy.
On why he chose to come back now, he said his first goal had been to keep playing abroad, but that once the opportunity to join AEK appeared, it was too big to turn down. He said he never stopped training every day to stay ready. After finishing one session, he said, he found ten missed calls from his agent. When they spoke, his agent told him about AEK's interest, and he replied that he could not wait, hoped the move would go through, and saw it as a great opportunity to come to Greece and play for the champions.
On his time in Italy, he said Serie A is one of the best leagues for defenders, and that he was looking forward to showing on the pitch who he really is.
Talks with Nikolic and Ribalta
Lykogiannis said he had not spoken directly with AEK head coach Marko Nikolic before the move, only with Javier Ribalta. He said he had his first one-to-one conversation with Nikolic the day before the interview, which coincided with his first training session alongside the rest of the squad. He said Nikolic explained what he expected from him, told him he was very happy to have him at the club and that he brought experience to the squad, and that he hoped to be match ready soon.
Champions League test on Wednesday
Lykogiannis pointed to Wednesday's game as a major test, saying it would be the best possible outcome for AEK to reach the League Phase of the Champions League. He said hearing the competition's anthem gives him chills, and that he hoped AEK would be there. He called it something truly special and said he wanted the team to win on Wednesday to give that joy to AEK's supporters.
Squad spirit and versatility
Speaking about his new club, Lykogiannis said AEK have a clear identity and a strong group of players, both on the pitch and off it. He said the whole squad had embraced him since his arrival. He said the season would be difficult because of the number of games ahead, but that he believed it would be a big year for AEK, calling the project he was presented with a very appealing one and saying he hoped to win titles there.
Asked about the positions he can play, he joked that he could cover every role, even goalkeeper. He said it is always useful for a coach to have a player who can cover more than one position, adding that he started out as a forward, then played midfield, then full back, and has also played as a centre back. He said that whenever he was needed at centre back he played well, which then caused a problem because the coach did not want to move him back out of the middle of defence.
He also explained how he prepared physically after his Bologna contract ended. He said he took a week off and then trained every day after that with his personal coach, who at one point told him it was enough. He said he wanted to be ready regardless, so that he would be in shape whenever a club came in for him.
On his motivation for the move, he said the Greek league has taken major steps forward in recent years. He said he joined AEK because they are champions, that he wants to give everything, help the team win titles, and that playing in the Champions League is a big additional motivation.
He also described how he was welcomed by teammate Stavros Pilios. He said he arrived at the club while the squad was eating, and that Pilios got up, embraced him and welcomed him warmly. He said the overall atmosphere at AEK is a family one, and that he was glad to see that from the start.
Asked whether he preferred assists or goals, Lykogiannis said he would rather score goals. On free kicks, he recalled once arguing with a teammate named Marin over who should take a free kick while they were both playing for Cagliari in Serie A. He said that at AEK, he and his new teammates would draw lots to decide who takes them.
