Dimitris Siovas:
“It was a very tough match; I think we showed good running capabilities throughout the match. We took an early lead and thus we controlled the play. When we conceded one, our response was immediate and victory came in as the outcome», were Dimitris Siovas initial comments.
On whether the Montpellier goal.. helped, as in “La Mosson”: In this case, support from our fans was very helpful. After the equaliser, they stimulated us to play better. I believe that, with their encouragement, we will make it to the next stage”.
On the purely Greek quarter in defense: Greek players have to be supported. It would be good to have more guys coming in and fill the forward slots, such as Mitroglou and Maniatis. There is talent in Greece and we have proved to be capable of facing hardships”.
On the fixture against Schalke: “We will go there to win. This is Olympiacos; we always play for the win”.
On his preferred position in the pitch; midfield or defense: I like both positions. During last years, I play in the defense, but I also fancy holding the midfield. I think I come through quite well there, as well as as in the backfield”.
Ioannis Maniatis:
“Firstly, we will go to Germany to win the fixture; it is a difficult match, a very strong opponent and we will have to stay focused if we are to take out a positive result. Certainly, it is very important that our victory tonight may have secured us the 3rd position in the group, but we have good chances to qualify for the last 16 and we should go after that.
Tonight, we got off really strong, scored an early goal, but our performance dropped and stayed back in order to contain our opponent. The penalty called, which might have not been one, hurt our ego and woke us up. We played more offensively, mainly from the flanks and scored two beautiful goals and registered this 3-1 win.
Montpellier is not some kind of “frightening mega-team”; they do have 4-5 players of great quality, but they luck Champions League experience. We had the crowd standing by us, and that drove us to the win”.
Paulo Machado:
“I am really happy for the pair of goals I have scored these days and tonight’s one in particular, which is very important. I was looking for that goal since the first day and I am happy to have scored it before our fans filling them with joy. It is a good day for all of us, because we conquered the victory and we can now think about making it to the next round”.
Next, the Portuguese commented on the fixture against Schalke: “In football, everything is possible. What we want is to give joy to our fans and travel to Schalke for the win, where we will use all chances to qualify”.
And he concluded: I think that Olympiacos is getting better game after game, and we, the players, get more connected between us. I believe we have shown that we are able for the best and, of course, this is what we want”
Djamel Abdoun:
“It was a difficult match and we wanted to win before our fans. What is important is that we won and we want the same against AEK next Sunday.
I am not certain it was in fact a penalty, but it worked as in France. After conceding the goal, we played better. I feel great to have this relationship with Olympiacos supporters and I want them to be always as supportive as they were tonight. We have a long way until the next two fixtures. Now, we are focused on the match against AEK”.
