In detail:
MICHEL
PSG is a side familiar with keeping ball possession and its main problem is when the opponent visits their home ground ready to do the same. So, what is Olympiacos going to do?
We are a side that performs well when having possession. We need to keep possession and we don’t, then we face difficulties. We did that in G. Karaiskakis Stadium and we played fine while in possession. Tomorrow, we will seek to keep the ball. We know that, internationally, top clubs always need keeping possession in order to deliver what they can. That’s what we also need, and we will try to do so tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s fixture seems to be the most difficult away match for Olympiacos. Compared to previous Champions League away matches, will you apply a different approach against PSG?
It is the most difficult because it’s our next fixture and we play against a tough side. Winning will send us straight to the next stage. We are looking up to this match; we know that PSG is a hard side to play against; however we do know that we also have our share of hopes. Since this is a decisive match, we will step in full of aspirations and offensive-minded in order to get what we want.
Will your plans be influenced by the fact that you have players who have played in the past against PSG? Alos, do you think of fielding Cholevas as left winger?
I will not line up the team based on players’ experience, or age. I will do so given what is better for the side. As for selecting Cholebas to play together with Bong, there is such likelihood; I have thought of it but haven’t decided yet. I thought of that more during my early considerations about this match, rather than later. But, as you know, I may also lie to you, being the coach. So, my reply was clear, tight? I just dodged the question, like when I was young.
Many of the guys playing in Olympiacos are also important players for the National team that just qualified to the World Cup. How much important is that in order to earn your qualification tomorrow in Paris?
This is an additional boost for the side. It is good for our composure to have players that have registered such a success. It is also good that six of our players will be at in the World Cup. This indicates a lot for Greece, Greek football and it also shows what we ourselves may achieve in Champions League.
You have heavily suffered twice here as a Real Madrid player. Is that an incentive for you too?
I am not thinking of that. The times I was a football player are long gone and will not come back. right now, I cannot play, although I’d love to. Right now, the only thing I can do is to coach. Last time I played at Anderlecht’s ground, I had lost 3-0 and you saw how I made my comeback. I wouldn’t mind doing the same here as well.
FUSTER
compared to the first leg in G. Karaiskakis stadium, how differently must Olympiacos play tomorrow in order to take out a positive result?
In G. Karaiskakis Stadium, I saw Olympiacos playing well and our players had a great stance. What we lacked was some individual efforts during the match that cost us dearly. This is what we must fix.
What will be the key to the match, in order for Olympiacos to take out a positive result?
I believe that in a football match, anything may affect us. We have to be concentrated and deliver during the 90 minutes, because we are facing top quality players. We have to be careful with our defending, to avail ourselves of any opportunities given in offense. We will try to produce the kind of game we want.
You were present in both away wins in France, against Marseille and Montpellier. Will you be on the pitch for the third one?
It would be great if we had another win in France, mainly because winning here is important, but also because these three points would secure our qualification. We are here willing to try and do so. It’s only one step away. We are really eager to that.
Two-an-a-half months after the 1-4 result in G. Karaiskakis Stadium, what has changed in Olympiacos to display so well?
That was our opening match in Champions League and maybe we were as bit too juvenile in our behavior as a tea,. Plus we have not yet fully adopted what our coach was trying to convey. Now, we are a much more compact side, we are ambitious and the fact that we rallied a series of positive results both in Greece and Europe, add to more our aspirations and makes us looking forward to a good result.
There is going to be 1,800 Olympaicos fans on the stands of Parc Des Princes stadium. What is your message to them?
It is no surprise to us that so many fans will be on our side. The fans are always next to us, they follow us all over Europe. They always travel with us. It is very important that we will have them here. We’d love to offer them another great piece of joy. Our supporters are here both in good and in bad. Currently, this is a good period for us. We want to return their support back to them.
