Mr. Michel
What is the difference between preparing for playing against Atletico in Karaiskakis and in Vicente Calderon?
“There is not much difference. Things are the same and we will insist on certain aspects that have helped us take a good result. We usually prepare for matches in same way, tactically speaking”.
How hard is it for you coming to Vicente Calderon, where you used to lay as a kid before your grandfather took you to Real?
“I have nothing to hide. It is well-known that, as a boy, I was an Atletico fan, I used to come and watch the side’s matches, but now I am a Real fan”.
Do you believe that Roberto could be one of Atletico’s three goalkeepers? Do you believe there is a place for him in the national team?
“It would be good to address this question to Simeone or Del Bosque when you have them before you. For me, he is an extraordinary goalkeeper”
Are you well-prepared for the welcome you will receive in this stadium?
“The funny thing would be for them to welcome me in flowers and hugs. I know they will support their side in the best possible way, which will not be the best thing for us. I am ready and I feel fine with it”.
Do you think that Atletico may match strength with Real and Barcelona?
“I think it is pointless to comment on Simeone’s work. Statistics are in his favor. No side may easily face Atletico. If the side is not top of the table, this is because both Real and Barcelona are different this year”.
Does it trouble you that your side hasn’t played an official match for a while? What state in the side in?
“We had some time to work. We missed 12 players who were with their national teams and we spent the last week to prepare this match”.
In the first match, you performed well in defense. Will you be needing this quality this time as well to take a good result out of this match?
“Champions League gives us the opportunity to reach our opponents’ top level; we know the level of Atletico. In the first match, we discussed about being effective against Atletico and, after some time, we said that we might win Juventus. Many times, effectiveness is not enough, but we always try to stay on the same path. We know that, in paper, we cannot match Atletico, but in the pitch, we will use our weapons and try to confront them”.
Is there an Atletico player you would like to have in Olympiacos?
“The one we had on the plane. I like my own players and I will not complaint about anyone. It would be nice though if Koke could join us”.
Ibrahim Afellay:
You used to know Atletico when you played for Barcelona. Now things have changed. What does Olympiacos have to do in order to leave Madrid with a good result?
“Playing play in the same style, in the same spirit we did in previous matches will be the best solution for this fixture”.
May the fact that it has been 17 days since your last official match affect the pace and the display of your squad?
“I do not think so. We have a great coach who prepares us very well, so I think there will be no problem”.
How does it feel playing in Atletico’s grounds where the side has conceded not a single loss for the past 17 months? What’s the feeling when playing in this stadium?
“The truth is that both the fans and the atmosphere are fantastic, and indeed they put on some pressure. If we perform like we did in the first match or against Juventus or Malmo, we will definitely take something good out of the match. This has to be our mindset for this encounter”.
