Presser by the Olympiacos coach:
On the current state of Cisse, Hassan, Masouras, and on whether Lopez will play: “Hassan and Cisse are ready, the squad is well prepared and full by 95%. Only Masouras will not be able to play. I am happy with the hard work of all players, Lopez and Onyekuru are both ready but, as always, I am not going to tell you will and who will not be capped”.
On whether he liked the fact that, in the first match, the entire team delivered and many players stood out; also a comment on the postponement for the championship to kick off: “I liked the way we played and dealt with Slovan, especially in comparison with the Ludogorets tie. We had both the will and a better state of fitness. The fact that the entire team delivered is a sign we are set for the next season. On the postponed kick-off, there is nothing we can do. But this is definitely bad for Greek football and its prospects in European tournaments. There is a lot of people who loves Greek football and thus all people in charge will have to give a solution to that because it is detrimental to Greek football as a whole”.
On the current state of the pitch, the comments by Slovan players that they can qualify and on whether Olympiacos is going for the win or just to secure its qualification: “I have no doubt that Slovan will fight to qualify. There is still one match to go and we have to stay focused to win and not merely defend our qualification. We are far from underestimating our opponent, we are too experienced to do something like that. If I were Slovan’s coach, I would have said the same things like their players, that there is hope. A couple of years ago, Slovan kicked PAOK off, nobody is making different thoughts, and we are well prepared and determined to face a very good team. We are going there to complete our task and win. As per the pitch, we will have to adapt to that; the tie is 0-0 for us and we will have to try and do what we have to”.
On the issue of transfers, the number of players he is expecting and the current status of discussions: “We still have 4-5 days for transfers and for finalizing the number of players in our roster. Currently we are focused on the tie; there is a lot of people working on transfers as we speak and we do the best to complete our moves”.
Presser by Oleg Reabciuk:
On the team’s spirits ahead of the return match: «There is no laxity at all; we are half way through and we have to finish up in the best possible way and stay concentrated on our objective. We do know the importance of this match and qualification”.
His opinion on the new comers this season: “They joined us to increase our quality; they are more than welcome and we will do everything to help them adapt as quickly as possible”.
On whether the postponement of the championship’s kick-off will affect the team: “This is not positive, it should have started. We stay focused on the things we can control; we leave all the rest outside the gates of the Rentis Training Center and we train as normal. “
On the transfer of a left-back and whether competition will help him: “I make no thoughts about that; I only think about working hard and helping the club, this is the only thing that concerns me. Definitely, competition is always good, but my mind is only set on keep on working”.
On whether it is a surprise for him that his home country’s outfit, Sheriff, may qualify in the Champions League and whether this means that all teams in the qualifiers are dangerous: “All teams are strong and have the quality for that; they all try to perform the best they can and make it”.
