Pedro Martins:
To what extent will the side be affected by the fact they are playing Milan right after the match against PAOK, and then they have the Sunday fixture against AEK?: “It is true that this match falls in between 2 important fixtures for the championship. However, we are not to change the way to address this match; our aim is to both to win the championship title and have a good spell in Europe. That’s why we shall see this fixture in the same manner like all previous ones in Europe. I won’t be tired to say our side is complete, with a quality roster and three excellent goalkeepers, and we are ready for tomorrow’s match. Every competition is a different one and we have specific reasons to deliver in each one, however we are ready. This is not an exceptional encounter just because it falls between two tough fixture for the domestic title, but due to the lack of time. Yet, we have the quality to face every single match and we are ready for it”.
Who will play tomorrow?:“If there is one thing certain, this is that Omar (Elabdellaoui) won’t play tomorrow since he is not here with us. You will find out tomorrow who will play, I am not going to tell you a thing. As for your question, it all boils down to the kind of players they are”.
How do you expect Milan to play tomorrow and his opinion on the way he approaches football himself?: “I know very well what to expect from Milan. I know Milan’s coach; he used to play a top player but football has changed since. Definitely, their squad will carry on his characteristics, but they will be different since football is a different sport since his time as a player. We expect to face a side that wants to prevail on the pitch and aggressively exerts pressure on the ball; a Milan outfit that easily scores goals but also concedes some. We expect them to play an offensive-minded match, which we will also try to do and create chances and good goal-scoring opportunities. We heard the interview by Milan’s coach and we were quick to understand that he had also studied Olympiacos as well.it will be a match in which ball possession will change sides all the time and will be a quality match to watch for everyone”.
Are you concerned with the fact that some of your players have not enough fixtures played ahead of tomorrow’s match?: “Truth be told, some players have played less matches but they are enough for them to attain the rhythm required in the match. It will be a demanding fixture and we will select the best players who are in their best state to enter the pitch and beat Milan; this will be our fighting mentality tomorrow night”.
Yaya Touré:
How do you feel with return to Milan’s home ground where you have had some pretty significant moments?: “It is a great moment for me to return here but the most important thing is for the team to play well and get the result. We know we are to play against a top team, whereas we are a brand new one featuring many talented players. We want to do well, we are proud of the team we have and we look forward to playing here and make a good display”.
A comment on the fact you have been so close to playing in Italy for Mancini’s Inter: “Indeed, I have a great relationship with coach Mancini. There is mutual admiration between us and we always share our opinion one to another. We have been really close. Currently he is a manager doing a fantastic job and I wish him to achieve many things in the future. It is a fact we are close and we talk often”.
