Olympiacos coach, José Luis Mendilibar, spoke at the press conference after his team’s 1–0 win over Panathinaikos at “G. Karaiskakis,” sharing his thoughts on Christos Mouzakitis’ stunning goal and his satisfaction with the overall team performance.
In detail, the experienced coach’s press conference:
You have now gone 21 matches unbeaten, surpassing your friend Míchel’s record of 20 games. Were you aware of this?
I was – we talked about it before the match, knowing that this would be our 21st game without defeat. Our last loss was against Sunday’s opponent, Asteras Tripolis, so we need to overcome that challenge as well to keep the streak going.
Was this your most important match since the European games? Also, have you thought about rewarding Christos Mouzakitis?
Yes, mainly because of what this match means to our fans and the team when facing our biggest rival. I always try to stay neutral, but when I see the crowd celebrating and singing, I feel their passion. Mouzakitis has earned his playing time – he wins his own rewards.
We’re seeing a different version of Mouzakitis – a more liberated player. Can you explain this development?
I ask of him what I ask of the entire team. We played more offensively today, at times with two strikers – we’re not stuck on the same spot. I want my players to be bold and try new things. That’s something we demand from everyone, including Mouzakitis. But at his age, he already has confidence and quality, and whenever he pushes forward, he delivers.
The Panathinaikos coach said Mouzakitis’ goal was a moment of inspiration. Do you see it as inspiration or skill?
Inspiration is a great feature for a footballer, but when you have skill, it turns inspiration into something meaningful. If you only have inspiration without the ability, you can’t achieve what Mouzakitis does – therefore, he’s capable. He is a talented player, earning his minutes and proving his quality, which benefits the entire team.
Was this the perfect way to celebrate your one-year anniversary at Olympiacos?
That’s true, I arrived last February, so I’m about to complete a year at the club. It has been a good year with what we achieved last season and what we continue to accomplish now. Mouzakitis is making headlines because he scored our last two goals, and Kostoulas has also proven himself, rightfully earning his place in the team. We are pleased with last season’s progress. I’m happy with what we have achieved so far. Both Mouzakitis and Kostoulas are valuable and continue to add to the team, but I’m satisfied with the entire squad and their contributions.
It seems like your winning streak isn’t just about your lucky shirt. What’s the secret to remaining unbeaten for 3.5 months and staying on track for all your objectives?
It’s a bit of everything, including some superstition! But ultimately, it comes down to hard work and the quality of the players – success comes through collective effort.
What do you think was the key to winning this match? And would you like to see your team labeled as “Mendilibar’s Youngsters” at the end of the season?
Our goal was to control the game just as we did in the league match. In the first half, we were in control, but Panathinaikos was more competitive. In the second half, we stepped up our game, became more aggressive, and applied more pressure. That’s why we took the win fairly. As for the nickname, these aren’t “Mendilibar’s Youngsters” – they belong to the club. I enjoy the work they put in, but all credit goes to the club.
We saw Horta start today. How did you assess his return, and what do you expect from him?
He is a player who already understands our system and what we expect from him. That’s why he was the first of the new arrivals to get playing time – he knows our mentality. However, his match fitness isn’t quite where it needs to be yet, so he’ll have to work hard to reach the level of his teammates.
