When watching Roberto committing an important error, did you immediately think that this was a bad night for Olympiacos?
“It would be really unfair to Roberto to pin this goal on him and we will not do this.We had a bad night and when you are having a bad night against sides such as Atlético, this happens.”
What did you like the least tonight?
“I do not wish to blame someone in particular.Apart from the outcome, it was also this feeling we created in this match and that we did not manage to compete as we did in other matches.”
What is your prediction regarding the future of this group following today’s result?
“You have been in football for many years and you know well that sides such as Atlético and Juventus did their job well today.We must do the same if we wish to continue competing in another competition such as the Europa League, which is not a bad competition.”
What did the team lack and did not manage to play against Atlético the same way it did in Piraeus?
“I do not want to say that the team did something wrong.Aside from the fact that we did not create any opportunities, we did not compete as a team, we were not focused.We may say many things, but these are due to the difference of each side’s level.You are not allowed to relax when playing against sides such as Atlético because if you do this happens; we try to get over this.”
Following the lack of matches in Greece, you had one extra training session.What technical elements did you add for the match against Atlético?
“If I try to explain to you our tactics plan for today, I will be dismissed as a coach since we did not implement anything from the things we had prepared.We had many days to prepare this match without all the players being present.We prepared the match for many days and I am definitely to blame because we did not show anything and created a poor image.”
Given the group standings right now, do you consider it a failure if you are not qualified for the next stage?
“You can see that I try not to get angry and to put up with everything they say about us.But when we have competed against sides such as Atlético and Juventus, we cannot call this a failure.We are equally upset as we were following the defeat against Juventus.We try our best, but there is a difference on each side’s level.If you ask Olympiacos whether it is a failure if they do not qualify, then what would you ask the Atlético or Juventus coach if they don’t qualify?”
What do you mean by a difference in the level?
“I will give you two examples.Both last season and this season, the clubs from the two groups were qualified for the next round and this proves there is a difference in the competition.We try to fight and accept how things stand.Last season we played against Paris and Benfica and Benfica buy players from us and this speaks a great deal about the difference of the two clubs.However, we try to fight.”
