Roy Carroll
“It was a very difficult match. We tried really hard not to conceive a goal and keep a clean sheet. It was the teamwork that made it possible. I felt a pain in my hamstring but I stayed on the pitch for our fans and my teammates. It looks like I will take me two or three weeks until I’m able to play again but, for the time being, I will enjoy the moment.”
Kevin Mirallas
OLYMPIACOS FC Belgian striker, Kevin Mirallas, talked about the game in general and Roy Carroll’s performance in particular: “Our coach had told us that the return match would be harder than the first leg and we all witnessed today how right he was. Our opponents pressured us more than in the first match and they created more chances. In total I believe we handled the game well and our team remained serene. Roy Carroll is the man to thank for our qualification to the next round of the UEFA Europa League; hats off to him and congratulations from us all. He did his best and we are very proud to have him in the group. Being able to count on his experience and skill is very important.”
Kevin Mirallas was also asked about the difference between Olympiacos of the past -which he had beaten while playing for FC Saint Etienne- and Olympiacos of today: “We’re talking about two completely different teams. Some of the players that were playing for Olympiacos back then are no longer here and others have joined the club. The current squad is nothing like the one back then.”
Concerning Olympiacos’s potential, Mirallas said: “Our goal is to win the Championship and the domestic Cup and go as far as we can in the UEFA Europa League. The further, the better.”
Ultimately, Mirallas was asked about the critical matches that follow the ones against FC Rubin Kazan. “We have had many matches since the beginning of the season and we do know how to handle a situation like that. The coach uses the rotation system which allows us to “catch our breath”. We will give it our best shot!”
Ariel Ibagaza
“It was a difficult game at home, as it was in Russia as well. Qualifying to the next round was not an easy task. We managed to score an early goal and that helped a lot. Roy Carroll’s presence in the game was substantial. What he did in the end was impressive. While being injured he kept on playing and made some important saves. FC Rubin Kazan is a very strong team and one of the most remarkable opponents we have had to face at home. We are happy to be advancing to the round of “16”. We will most certainly do our best against FC Metalist Khariv.”
Pablo Orbaiz
“I believe the whole team is very happy and proud of this result and everyone hopes for the best in the upcoming matches. We are excited about Roy Carroll as it was only his second game with Olympiacos. He showed us that he is here for us and we all wish him the best. All the players in our team are like that. He showed everyone how professional he is; a very important thing for us all. None of the matches we play is easy.”
