Marco Silva
How does the fact that Dinamo’s coach called you the favourite work for you?
“I do not agree with the opinion of Dinamo’s coach. This is a way to lift the pressure off his side and fans and put it on our shoulders. I believe that Dinamo are a really good side. We are here to play a strong match and achieve the best we can. I do not agree with this statement. These are two strong sides and we will try to play as best as we can.”
Dinamo’s coach said that he has much information provided to him by Croatian players. Given that Dinamo has many Portuguese players, have they provided you with any information? Do you also feel that this is Marco Silva’s Olympiacos?
“I understand your question and my reply is that it’s much easier for Dinamo to get information than it is for us to get information from players currently playing for Dinamo. Our target is to improve and there is still much room for improvement. We have been together for three months; there are new players, new coaches. The results are the result of our work. Our goal is to win. You cannot always win, but that’s what we will always try for.”
We saw a different approach in each of the first two matches. Will we be seeing tomorrow the Olympiacos that played against Bayern, the one that played against Arsenal or maybe a third alternative? How much are your plans affected by Cambiasso’s absence?
“As regards the second part of your question, my answer is no. A player’s absence does not change the way a team plays. We will not change our plans because of one player’s absence. Our plan is based on the whole team and not one player. As regards the first part of your question, we played like that because Bayern are a great team and we had to adjust to their playing style. For the match against Arsenal, we also changed some elements in our game in order to adjust to their playing style. This is football. You must adjust to your opponent. This is what we may do in tomorrow’s match against Dinamo.”
Does the draw serve your plans, based on the fact that you are then playing against both Dinamo and Arsenal in Karaiskakis?
“No. We never prepare for a draw for a match. The rule is that when you prepare for a draw, this does not end well. Tomorrow, we will do our best in order to win. In football, this is what you must always do. You must always prepare to win in order to achieve as much as you can.”
Dimitris Siovas
How much have your successes in the championship and in the London match boosted your morale in view of the match against Dinamo?
“Right now, the team is in a good condition and has a good morale. Following the win against Arsenal, our spirits are really high. This match is different when compared to Greek championship matches. This is an important match for us. We need to win in order to qualify to the next stage and this is what we will try to do tomorrow.”
Will the draw satisfy you?
“No, we are Olympiacos and we play to win. We never think about the draw and we try to win every match we play.”
Various media stories in Croatia say that this match is like a final for Dinamo. Does this apply to you too?
“It’s exactly that and we know that this is an important match for us. We must win in order to qualify to the next round. We will play to win and then to achieve another home victory that will secure our qualification.”
Have you talked to Machado?
“No, I haven’t talked with him yet.”
Is the fact that the Croatians called Olympiacos the favourite good for you? How does that sound to you?
“They could be doing this in order to put greater pressure on us. Both sides are good. We will play a strong match tomorrow and may the best team win.”
Do you talk in the locker room about the fact that you keep winning the derbies? Does this boost your morale?
“We do not talk about these things. We have worked a lot since the beginning of the season. We continue the work we do with our coach and try to achieve our goals which are winning the double and qualifying to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League.”
You are one of the oldest players in the team. Olympiacos repeated their best start to the season achievement they had accomplished with Jardim. How high can this team go?
“You must expect bigger. This team still has much room for improvement. All players contribute to the team, even substitute players, and I feel very optimistic about the future.”
Last year was a difficult year for you. This year, you are one of the players who have played in all matches full time; how do you feel?
“I feel better. The only thing I want is to be healthy, play as best as I can and help my team.”
