Grigoriou praises Aris resilience but critiques decision making after Kifisia win

Source reporting: 18 October 2026. Added to ScoreTransfer on the publication date shown above.

Aris Thessaloniki manager Michalis Grigoriou offered a mixed assessment of his team's performance following a victory against Kifisia. While he congratulated his players for securing the result, he voiced specific dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the match during a post-game interview.

Grigoriou identified defensive lapses as a key issue, noting that Aris surrendered possession in three promising situations. These errors allowed Kifisia to execute transition attacks, which ultimately led to the opposition scoring a goal. The manager also pointed out that his players lacked calmness in the final third, failing to make optimal choices even when they reached the opponent's penalty area easily.

Despite these criticisms, the coach highlighted the psychological fortitude displayed by his squad. He stated that the team did not suffer a mental drop after Kifisia equalized and continued to press for the win until the final whistle. Grigoriou emphasized that such persistence was worthy of praise.

Looking at the broader context of the season, Grigoriou stressed the importance of consistency in non-derby fixtures. He argued that statistical evidence shows league titles are won through cumulative results across all matches rather than solely through high-profile games. He expressed optimism that Aris could utilize their upcoming schedule to improve their position in the league table.