The head coach of Olympiacos, José Luis Mendilibar, spoke after the 1–1 draw with Athens Kallithea, which secured his team a spot in the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup. He highlighted his players’ performance and the four shots that hit the goalpost during the first half.
Below, the detailed press conference of the experienced coach:
What positive aspects do you take from the match, and what observations did you make about the players who haven’t had much playing time until now?
It’s true that we conceded an early goal, but the positive thing is that we reacted by creating plenty of opportunities. We showed we could create opportunities and respond quickly, though we were not clinical. However, we demonstrated determination and energy. Everyone who played contributed, but what was missing was the goal. We hit the goalpost multiple times. Perhaps the issue was that we didn’t secure the qualification earlier.
Several players who are not regular starters played today. Did you get a response from these players? Also, some of the players who joined later in the summer seem to be improving.
Not only here, but at all clubs, there’s often no patience when it comes to giving time to players who started their preparation later and need time to adapt. We rush to judge a player. Many things have been written about certain players not being good enough for the team, but the season lasts ten months. We need to have patience and assess things after some time has passed.
Was the course of the match the reason you didn’t give playing time to youngsters like Bakoulas and Papakanellos?
It was our intention; we wanted to do that. But with the way the game developed, there was always a risk, and we couldn’t give them the time we had hoped for. They were included in the squad because we had planned to use them.
What is your plan for managing the team’s upcoming series of consecutive matches and dealing with player fatigue?
The truth is we have many matches ahead of us, as has been the case so far. There are a lot of games, so we will try to rest the players and manage the squad effectively. Everyone will need to contribute, and everyone will be needed, especially considering the potential for injuries. Proper management is essential.
