His comment on tonight’s match: “The match result is negative for us. We came prepared to face a really tough opponent. We gave everything. We put all our efforts, especially in the first half, into scoring a goal first/ we had our share of chances in the first half to net it; Betis is a team that stays always dangerous for any opponent. They have some great footballers than can impede any side from scoring during the match. The second half was different. We produced some chances but it was a fairly balanced match. We could have scored the equalizer the same way Betis could have scored a second one. Although they have a really strong side, we really intimidated them. Congratulations to Betis. They have proven to be the best side in the group. They are deservedly top of the table and have gone through. From our side, we have proven that we deserve to qualify along with Betis. We have the capabilities to qualify. I am quite confident that, at home, in the last match day, we will be able to do what we need to, that is to win by 2 goals. Our fans drive will us forward since we will play at home. This team has proven to have the skills required and may qualify to the next round”.
On whether Olympiacos was worthy of a goal and finally trailing back: “We could have reached the break in 0-0but we failed. Betis scored a goal, we felt the threat in the case of the penalty, and we failed to keep a clean sheet. Having said that, we tried to take risks and score a goal. We came to play this match gaving many problems. With a shortage of strikers, with both Hassan and Lazaros –a significant player for us- sidelined with injuries. It’s been only one week that Guerrero retuned in the squad after a long period of absence. However, we could have done something better; we didn’t. Now we will forget all this and focus on the next match against Milan. We are convinced we can do it. It’s a tough group with sides of Champions League caliber, however I do believe we deserve to qualify in the next round”.
