Olympiacos is currently close to conquering the 3rd position, but the result of the other group match leaves space even for the 2nd position. What is your opinion on that?
“There are still six points to claim and we aim at winning all six of them, so that we achieve our first objective, which is to qualify to the next stage in Champions League”.
Given that qualifying to the next stage of Europa League is already in your hands, will this help you and the squad as per the pressure you have been experiencing since the start of the season?
“Our first match against Schalke was far from nice for us. After that, we properly fulfilled our obligations, even when we played away in London, despite the defeat. Then we registered two victories; so, all players know what their tasks are and then we will try all together to work for our objective, which is to get more wins”.
When Belhanda restored parity, were you afraid of Montpellier making the comeback?
“Although Montpellier’s goal came at the best moment possible, it was Olympiacos striving for the win. It was we played better for the biggest part of the match, we created scoring opportunities and we were better in offense and defense. Although the French were dangerous, we were the ones to have demonstrated that we could go for the win”.
Is tonight’s result a response from your side to the fact that, although originally doubted, now you got 10 wins in 13 matches?
“I respect all teams and viewpoints. What I am trying to do is to do my job in the best possible way. I believe that Olympiacos is a young squad, with many changes in players with respect to last year; we know that we must work hard and improve significantly. We are getting better as the time goes by.. We want to achieve our goal».
We saw, in both encounters with Montpellier that when Olympiacos use a high pressure game, the side succeeds in creating chances. We saw nothing of that in the first half. Was that something instinctive or the result of your orders?
“Football is a game of individual strength. That means that we try to utilize the strengths we possess. Tonight, we scored an early opener; our strength was enhanced, while the opponent was trying to put themselves together. In general when one wins, it is logical that strength becomes more and one can outdo his opponent. This is the case in Olympiacos. What we always want is to always use pressure. However, the match restores its balance, once back,.
Olympiacos fans asked for the victory against AEK; Is this stress-generating for you?
“This is an incentive for us, it makes us jump over. We know that our fans want us to win”.
