Words by Mr Pedro Martins:
On whether he has made up his mind on the starting XI for tomorrow: “Broadly speaking, I have. I know who will be capped. However, we have to wait also for today’s practice, which is very important. All players are available and looking forward to playing this match. No matter what the problem or question might be, it’s their attitude that helps finding a solution. So, as said, I will have to wait our last training session, this evening, to finalize our thoughts. As mentioned, I already have in mind the ones to start the match tomorrow evening “.
On the objectives of Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League group stage: “Firstly, the stage hasn’t even started. Tomorrow’s match will be largely decisive of our future in this tournament and the group stage, in particular. What I expect from my team is to reach a high level of performance as it normally does, to be storming and offensive-minded, to display its quality on the pitch, to be composed, courageous and resolved. We don’t want to be deemed as the favorite because, simply enough, we are not. We are to play against a really strong opponent. At home, the stands are always electrified; our fans mean the world for us and represent a very important weapon in our arsenal. In this ground, we can meet any challenge we might come across”.
On whether the side’s defensive performance will be their compass for tomorrow’s fixture: “At this level, all mistakes come with a high price. For tomorrow, our exceptional defensive skills must guide us. We defend very well, as a whole and as a team. So, we will have to be decisive, united and focused. We will have to take care of our defense, make no mistakes and make the best use of everything we manage to create. The entire squad will have to work well like we normally do. All in all, our defensive performance will have to be impeccable and coupled with great team attacking”.
On whether a draw, tomorrow, will be a good result: “We never go for the draw at kick-off. No matter what competition we play at, what opponent we have to face, we always play to win. Tomorrow, we play against a really tough opponent, last season’s finalist and one of Premierleague’s main contenders. Our mind, however, is set on winning. Whether drawing would be a good result, this remains to be seen during the match”.
On whether Bayern and Tottenham are the favorites to qualify: “Certainly. This group features clear favorites to qualify, namely Bayern and Tottenham. This is clear. We are not to be considered a favorite, simply enough because we are not. Should we manage to qualify, this will be an amazing feat and an objective met. If predictions are proven correct and both top clubs qualify to the next stage and we earn 3rd position, we will still have fulfilled an objective. They are bigger clubs that the other two. So, we will see about these things as the competition unfolds. For our part, we shall perform with the same passion and decisiveness and fight for the best. Last year, we also played against a couple of top teams in our group. We did the same thing in the UEFA Europa League group stage. After matchday 3 or 4, things were made clear. We will do the same this year also. We shall wait for all matches to be played and we will do the best we can!”
Your message to the fans: “We shall play with all our heart, body and soul to make them proud”.
What language do you use in training: “English and something else close to…Greek. Of course, I also use Portuguese since we have many Portuguese and Brazilian players”.
On Semedo: He’s been at our disposal for quite a few days, like the rest of the players, except for Fortounis and Lazaros. I am not going to tell you the starting XI, but I can surely tell you that Semedo is available, and so are all other players”.
Words by Cisse:
On his anticipation to play this competition: “in my first year, I was not included in our European list of players and last year I played in the UEFA Europa League. This is life and, particularly, the life of a footballer. Today, my coach entrusted me; so, I am proud of that and I feel ready to take on this challenge. I want to prove him right“.
On his spell: “Yes, I am both proud and happy. It’s a huge step forward in my career. I have evolved and this is what I want to keep on doing by means of this competition. It’s great opportunity for me to play in the UEFA Champions League. I am mature and I will surely welcome such pressure as a positive thing”.
On the feelings of his teammates and the fans: “This is the first time in such a tournament for many of us, since we are young. We are ready and we will prove that we are a top team and we deserve being here. We fought hard to make it so far and tomorrow we shall show the world what Olympiacos is made of. The fans know how to support us. I invite them, tomorrow, to stand by our side and fill the stands; I invite them to be here. We are ready, like a family, to fight for a good result”.
