Words by Mr Pedro Martins and Avraam Papadopoulos during the pre-match presser ahead of the Olympiacos vs Crvena zvezda fixture for MD6 of the UEFA Champions League. Group stage.
Words by Mr Pedro Martins:
On the defeat in Beograd and on Benzia: “I think tomorrow’s match is very different. Tomorrow, we are to play a final. We are fated to win tomorrow in order to proceed. The first leg meant a lot to collect points; now there is no option but to win. I hope we will watch a great match and, hopefully, we shall be the winners. We will give all we got and claim what we rightfully deserve, which is to qualify. As for Benzia, he is not in the squad because there were other players better conditioned. During that time, he had some health issues. We had Valbuena, Mady and Bouchalakis more fit and ready to play. He’s practicing for the past 10 days without issues. For 1.5 month, he had various problems. He is available for tomorrow, like the rest of the players”.
On the qualities Olympiacos should display to win the match: “Firstly, since this is going to be a final, we must not be carried away. We have to have total emotional control in the match. We have to be strong, very focused, and aggressive and make no mistakes. We know that our opponents like to play on the on counter-attack, so we have to recover the ball swiftly. We will have to be smart and ready to regain control immediately“.
On the significance of this encounter and its possible impact on the side’s campaign for the championship: “We have to be nothing but positive towards these matches. Playing in this top competition can only do you good. All players are looking forward to this match. They are ambitious; it will be good for the club’s history. We are accustomed to playing finals. Just like against Plzen, Basaksehir, Kransodar or even PAOK. We love these encounters. We know the importance of this match and our obligation to our fans and the club; we are ready to earn what we have to”.
On whether he is as confident as before the Milan fixture and with regard to this article on a Saudi offer he rejected: “I am totally confident. I can repeat that, like last year. I also said so in an interview before I join you. I am confident on our skills and the quality we display in all matches, with the exception of that in Munich. In all other fixtures, we lost points as a result of details we lacked. Generally speaking, we play well in Europe this year and this is the feedback we get from our fans. Tomorrow, we shall have to prove we can make it and we are certain that we will go on. Today, let’s talk just about the match”.
On Valbuena being sidelined: “We are at the same point like against Tottenham. Valbuena will be on the bench; he wasn’t 100% fit and, yet, we came up with solutions. Indeed, he is an important player; however, we can still play very well even without this influential player”.
Words by Avraam Papadopoulos:
On his 8-year spell in the Champions League group stages: “I am really happy to be back in the family of Olympiacos. These matches mean a lot. I feel ready to give my best in order to reach our target. Our aim is to win the match and continue in the Europa League”.
On the things he would say to his teammates: “What I always say is that we have to stay focused. Details determine the fate of such fixtures. It is a critical match. At home, we have to set out strong and, having done that, build on our teamwork to win the match”.
On the atmosphere at the stands: “Certainly, this is something really pleasant. For me –as it was the case for many of the guys, what we experienced in Serbia was unprecedented. However, our mind should be set on doing our job. This is Olympiacos. We have to be serious about it and well disciplined, so as to celebrate qualifying. So, I don’t think this will affect us”.
On whether he is “armed and ready”: “Yes, I had a minor issue in the past days. I am OK now. I hope everything goes fine today and make myself available to the coach”.
