In detail:
Michel
This match is very important for the players. How much important is it for the coach?
We want to win because our campaign has shown that we deserve to go through. In order to do that, we have to win this match. Ourplayershaveworkedreallyhardandtriedalot.They are experienced enough to understand the importance of this fixture. If we had any doubt, a simple walk in the streets would be enough. The fans will not allow us to forget how much important it is and how strongly we need to win. Recall the day of the group-stage draw; if someone was to promise us that we would play the decisive qualifying match at home in the closing MD and hold our future in our own hands, I think we would all have wanted that.
In the first leg in Brussels, Olympiacos had suffered against Anderlecht’s attacking skills. Whatareyourplanstoavoidthathappeningagain?
I believe that all clubs know each other well. However, I believe that the key to the match will what each side may show ion the pitch. Compared to Anderlecht, we are bound to win. It will all come down to our soul, heart and will, and I think this will be the key for the match. Let us now forget that we had been better on both boxes. Our goalkeeper had made quite an impression on that night and our Mitroglou had been the star of the match. It wouldn’t bother us to see that happening again tomorrow.
Mitroglou will be sidelined for this fixture. Do you expect your other great star, Saviola, to excel tomorrow night?
We believe that all our players will shine through tomorrow. We hope to see Olympiacos shining brighter as a whole, rather than an individual player. Also, I haven’t said whether Saviola will play.
Have you decided on the starting eleven? Have your plans been affected by what you saw in the match against Asteras Tripolis?
I‘ve said it many times that I always think of the next match. Then, I was thinking of Asteras, not Anderlecht. If some players were absent at the Saturday match that was because they had sore muscles or they were a bit tired. Although we knew that we wouldn’t have Maniatis and Mitroglou at our disposal for sure, we didn’t change our style of play. We always have to wait until the very last moment because many things may change. We have an idea of who will be in the starting line-up. It doesn’t matter who will play because everyone will prove me right for selecting him to play.
Do you believe that Anderlecht will make Olympiacos a nice present? Does the result at the Brussels match reflect reality?
I expect no presents from Anderlecht and I don’t think we should get stacked to a particular group-stage match. If one watches all matches, then one could see that PSG was the best side and we keep our future in our own hands. With all due respect to Anderlecht, the favorite tomorrow should be us.
Is it more difficult for Olympiacos now that Anderlecht in not interested in collecting more points in the group? Do you expect some kind of present from PSG?
The only present I expect is the one for Christmas on the 24th. Everything else does not represent a present, but something my players have rightly won. I also believe that a great club like Anderlecht did not come here just for a nice walk, they came to play football. I believe that there is no doubt we are the ones to have something to take out of this match. We must play energetically and set up the atmosphere for such a match. I don’t have to remind that to our fans, since they do that to us.
This is a match that will decide who’s to qualify. Are you afraid that stress may affect your chances to go through if times passes by without scoring a goal?
What we must do is to win and play football for 90 minutes. We cannot kick off the match with a lead. I don’t think that our mental state and side’s character allow something like that to affect us. What we must wholeheartedly do is to do things right as we should; otherwise, it will cost us dearly. Our objective is to win the three points, nothing else.
In your career as a football player, do you have good memories of playing against clubs from Belgium?
I have all sorts for memories against Belgian sides; both of love and of “no-love”. I hope that this encounter will increase my love for Belgian sides; just like quarrel-free relationships between couples, when the one who’s right is the one who needs it; that is, us.
Avraam Papadopoulos
How big is a challenge for Olympiacos players to play for qualifying to the last-16 stage?
It’s a huge challenge for us, the players, and the club itself. We all know it’s a crucial match. We want to go through, since this is our goal. We want to combine qualifying with a good performance.
You have played many matches under such conditions. Do you believe that having a good incentive is enough to get the win?
It’s huge incentive for all of us. We want to qualify; it’s one of the most important matches. It still is a match like all others and this is how we should see to it. Wearing this jersey is enough an incentive. What we want is to satisfy our supporters and to celebrate our qualification.
What’s your state of fitness after your injury?
Talking about me, I feel well at the moment. Yet the important thing now is the team, rather my own state of fitness. The match will be decided by what team will display more will and passion. I believe that we have these qualities; we have shown that both in Europe and in the Greek championship. We trust our team and we want to go through while performing well, but the most important thing is to get the win; this is all that matters.
How dangerous do you expect Anderlecht to be?
My opinion is that Anderlecht is a very good team. In the attack, they have great players. The fact that they the final result make no difference to them makes them dangerous; they will have no stress. The match will be judged by our drive and passion. We must set foot on the pitch with resolve and make an aggressive start. I believe that we can go through with the help of our fans.
Two important players, Mitroglou and Maniatis, will be not play. Do you think that there are players to take their place?
It is true that they are both significant players for the team, but it is equally true that there are many skillful players in the squad, and everyone will give its best and cover their absence. Any player who will be fielded, will give his very soul for this match.
Anderlecht has no actual incentive for this fixture. Do you believe they will play indifferently?
Judging by what I have seen in previous years, I think there are no teams that come to stage a laidback match. We expect Anderlecht to be here and face this match in an ordinary way.
