Read below words of OLYMPIACOS coach in the post-match press Conference:
What are your feelings now that you have accomplished this great success? How are you feeling?
“Making it to the Champions League group stage is very important, first, for the club’s image and that of Greek football as a whole. It is great because this was our primary objective. I would like to dedicate this qualification to our players, all staff members and, certainly, our fans. Nothing would have been achieved if it wasn’t for our President. We are really happy to qualify since this promote our club’s image and lift the status of Greek football.
I feel happy because I had all the conditions to work properly and I was able to contribute to this club; it is not because it’s important for my career. It is my pleasure to watch players working this way and deliver the things I want. The fact that, after 6 matches, players perform this way; it feels me with pleasure. Last two encounters have been tough against a contender for this year’s Russian championship. It was our performance that made things seem easy”.
After all these years following up on Olympiacos, this is perhaps the very first time the squad plays in Europe in such a mature and distinct way. How do you explain that? What is the reason of that and what has changed?
“This has to do with everything; it has to do with the quality and personality of our players and our hard work. For us, it is important we came here to defend our 4-0 home win. We didn’t show up to play defense, but to be aggressive in attack and win. These last matches and our successes have given us great confidence. In no case did we think that our 4-0 win had secured our qualification and we would play defensively to go through. We came here to win and give more points to Greece”.
Interview of Youssef El-Arabi on Cosmote TV:
“I am truly happy; we earned a well-deserved win against a very strong team. We conceded an early goal but reacted immediately and the team is worthy of praise. We played really well and we got what we deserved. I am always at my coach’s disposal. During warm-up, Guerrero was doubtful to be capped, so I got ready. This mean nothing all players are ready to contribute no matter when. That was what I also did.
I suffered a hit but I have no problem. I was replaced because I was tired, no concern of an injury. The only thing that matters is that we went through. I have no personal preference with regard to our opponents in the group stage. We might draw to play against an English outfit, or a Spanish, I don’t know. Regardless of that, we will prep ourselves accordingly so we can face any opponent”.
Interview of Mathieu Valbuena on Cosmote TV:
On his drive: “I had a passion for football since I was a kid. This is how I play, I cannot play in any other way”.
On whether he feels vindicated: “I decided to join because I wanted to contribute to the team. I am happy and resolved to attain things here”.
On how far can Olympiacos go: “We will see in the draw. Olympiacos is a top team that has to play in Champions League. It was no game of luck that helped us beat all these teams; we have an exceptional team that can deliver great matches”.
On whether he’d love to return to France and face a French club: “There are many great matches to be played. This is our profession and such encounters call for proportionate sacrifices. It will be my pleasure to play against a French club”.
Interview of Giorgos Masouras on Cosmote TV:
On the match: “We played very well in both legs. We got a great mark in managing both matches and that was the critical point in this qualifying tie. We subdued their skills in counter-attacks. It was some unforced errors of ours that allowed them to believe in turning around the tie, but we were serious enough and we finally managed to see off a tough opponent”.
On their participation in the Champions League group stage and the way they celebrated: “It was an outburst of the pressure we had since pre-season. Our objective has been to continue playing in Europe; the clubs we had to face were tough and we cruised through in an exemplary way. We set out in the match being focused and when the opportunity was given to “kill” them, we did so. Certainly, our goal is to win the domestic league and, in the Champions League, we will demonstrate what we are made of“.
On his preferences for the draw: «At this point, we will gladly go and play everywhere. For sure, we will put on a fight against all our opponents as dictated by the club’s history”.
