Poget: “It’s not charity here, we want victories”

Gustavo Poget commented on the goals of the national team at the press conference ahead of the friendly with Lithuania at the OPAP Arena (Monday 27/3 – 19:00).

The federal coach referred to the difficult battles that await the “blue and white” in the Euro qualifiers, while he commented on the new seat of the national team and his report so far.

In detail, what he said:

For the OPAP Arena: “I think being here is special, compared to OAKA. First game here, it’s our home, but we’re not used to it yet. It is important to keep winning, to play what we want and slowly to feel the pitch. Let them know that whoever comes here will have a hard time. We missed this in previous years. I will try to restore it. Let our fans be here, let them be one with the team, I have played in the national team, I know how it is. To support the team as much as they can.”

About Konstantelias and why more players need to come out: “Delias has great potential. Good for PAOK that has such a footballer, as Koulierakis is. They produce players who will favor the National Team in the future. Every team tries it. It depends on the infrastructure departments. The financial part is also important. Age doesn’t matter, if you perform you will play.”

For his account so far, even if he feels a little Greek: “I’m learning. I think it’s easier now when I talk to the players. There are some basic pieces, there is a core and the young people are integrated. It is very important to clarify. The first goal is the Nations League and it happened. Now the goal is to go to the Euro, that’s what we’re focusing on, that’s what the EPO asked for. Then we will see what we have achieved. I want to see things that I ask of the players, victories unite and that’s what we want to continue.”

For what it takes against tough opponents: “We have an idea how we can achieve something against top teams. I won’t share it. It will be a different match compared to Gibraltar where we have venues. If you asked me in June, I wouldn’t know the answer. Now I know because we have played a lot of games, that I know how we would play if we faced France tomorrow. The players know how good they are. Tomorrow we have Lithuania and then we have two months to prepare for these games.”

On whether he has seen more things in relation to the Nations League match and whether he will make changes: “The most important thing is the tension. We knew how we were going to play, but we had to have intensity in the game. The idea was to chase it, not wait for it. We knew what we were getting into for the last 10 years. For tomorrow, the core of the team will be there, we want the victory. It’s not charity here, we want wins so we can have confidence. We can make three or four changes. The idea is to build relationships with each other, sorry for those who are not playing, but here we are professionals, we want to win.”

On whether he will fight with the Netherlands and if we only want victories from France: “I didn’t see France-Holland, nor the goals. After analyzing our match, I saw Lithuania, I didn’t see Mbappe’s goals. I have two months to do it, that’s the difference between nationals and clubs. I need to know Lithuania. First let’s win the matches we have to and then see the favourites. Yes, I would like France to win all the matches. In Holland – France, I would like the French to win. Then you have a clear favorite and try to beat second place. I try to do what I can control.”