In detail, here are all of Pedro Martins’ statements on the press conference:
It’s a positive start for Olympiacos, a home draw with the Champions League finalist. What does this point mean for the future of this competition, especially giving the way the draw happened?
“Today we started in a positive way. Whether the result is positive can be judged by how the match went. We had the first chance, we had good circulation and we dominated in the pitch. We were the team with the most chances until we conceded the goal.
We were superior and by two individual errors we conceded the goals. After the first and second goals we reacted and tried to score. We reduced to 1-2 and went to the locker room. We showed personality against a very strong and well prepared opponent. If you make mistakes, you’re sure to pay for them.
Our reaction is something very positive. It’s not easy to react against this opponent. We were tactically superior, we had many chances, we could have opened the score, have reduced earlier and in the end we could have got a better result. I think tomorrow, when people analyse the match, they will say that Tottenham didn’t make a good match against us, while we did.
We were smart until the 25’, we took advantage of the weak points of the opponent and when you’re superior in many tactical parts of the game, you can say that our team made a better match than Tottenham, which is something that Tottenham can’t say”.
From what you said and what we saw, you are absolutely satisfied with your team’s performance. How satisfied are you with the final result, considering the way the draw happened?
“I’m absolutely satisfied with our effort and our reaction. Really, after the match was over, there was a feeling on our bench that we could have done better. It’s no small deal when you turn such an result. It’s not a small achievement this 2-2 that we got and that shows a lot about the character of our team. When someone watches the match, he could say that Olympiacos could have got a better result”.
You declared that Olympiacos dominated and was tactically superior. Tottenham roster’s value is estimated around 1 billion. They signed Lamela, Son and Sissoko, who are among the top players in the world. Can you explain us in football terms how Olympiacos appeared superior, being a team that started being built just one year ago, against Tottenham?
“I don’t want to stress the numbers. There is no such comparison. I can’t comment on names or budgets. All these factors can’t win titles on their own. We have goals, quality and a lot of work ahead of us. We enjoyed a wonderful European night. We’re here because we work a lot. We all know the difference in financial terms of the two clubs. What we have shown today is that we are who we are, we are here with great will and we still have a lot of work ahead of us”.
The fans made their presence felt in an impressive way. Olympiacos was 0-2 behind and the crowd kept supporting. We want your opinion.
“The fans trust us and we have worked on this. When the fans watch a match in which the team plays very well despite playing against an opponent who can take advantage of the other team’s mistakes, this shows the value of the team. The fans have learned to believe in the team. They believe that we have the quality and they see the work we do and the will we show to keep our fans satisfied. I would also like to say that the atmosphere was fantastic, we showed everyone what we can do. And also this evening was dedicated to Cissé”.
Valbuena’s quotes to Cosmote TV:
“I’m happy with my performance but the team is what matters. We’re frustrated because we deserved something more. It is good that we reacted but we could have scored another goal. Our objective is to qualify but we play in a very difficult group and we will give all we have on every match, just like we did today, aiming for the best”.
On the ovation from Olympiacos fans: “Our fans are spectacular and listening to them shouting your name is a wonderful feeling”.
In detail these are Podence’s quotes on the mixed zone:
“I’m not happy with the result. We played better and deserved to win. Sure we were playing against last year’s Champions League finalist, but we faced them as our equals and at times we were better. We continue with the same confidence, we can achieve lots of things on this stadium”.
In detail these are Elabdellaoui’s quotes to Cosmote TV:
“We pressed hard, we had strong character and will. We could have made a different start, but we were determined and turned it. Throughout the match we felt calm because we believed in our strengths and that was the way to come back in the match. We had control of the pace even when we were 0-2 behind and we knew that if we kept playing like this, we would make it, as we did. Our mentality and our will were what helped us. Our fans also helped us. Karaiskakis Stadium is very important to us.
There was a big disadvantage. However, Podence’s goal came at the right moment. We are on the right track. This result will help us psychologically, though we need some time to recover. Our big goal is the league and we will now focus on it”.
