Jovanovic: “I admire my players, they know what self-sacrifice means”

In detail what Ivan Jovanovic said at the press conference:

On whether this win is the most important of the season: “It was definitely a derby that developed the way derbies usually do because the two teams didn’t have anything special in the way they played. It was a matter of players’ mood. We played determinedly, we entered the duels strongly, we were dangerous, we controlled the pace despite the 2-0 and in the second half we managed the match well with the mind that Olympiacos would like to enter the match again. The players in their way showed how much they wanted the game.”

For the reaction after the draw with Volos: “Of course these wins mean a lot because we’re in the playoffs, but wins are wins. I am satisfied that in the playoffs we have shown that we are tough. It makes me even more satisfied and I admire my players how focused they are and we have to continue like this until the end of the league. To be close to the goal we have to win these games. It’s not easy. All of us and I as a coach are judged by the mood, the confidence that our players can have. They make us proud, not only today, but throughout the year”.

To maintain zero on defense: “We are a tight team on the field, the defense is not only the defenders but all the players sacrifice. Both wingers and midfielders play defense. Self-sacrifice for the goal in front of you satisfies me because they exceed what we want. I am one of the lucky coaches who have players who know what self-sacrifice means. We are a fairly solid team, which helps us.”

For Sanchez: “It’s no surprise to me. Sanchez is a player who has three months to play but can deliver. A kid who is low-profile, hardworking, useful, whether Sanchez is playing or not, his way of working is such that we always know that when we rely on him, he will give us what we want. He had started the year. I’m not surprised by his performance, that’s Facundo”.

On whether Panathinaikos had “invested” in the first half: “Apply. It’s simple things to achieve our goal we have to win the games. We are playing at home, we are playing against a great opponent. There is faith in our world and pressure. The way we entered the match was what helped us control the game. It also depends on the opponent. Today we met players in a good mood either offensively or defensively, with a lot of running, with intensity and confidence and that was the key of the first half which gave us a big advantage to carry into the second half”.

Regarding Sporar: “You started individually that I don’t like to talk about the players. Sporar has also taken other penalties in the final minutes and has scored. He is a good scorer, he went through a lot of difficulties in January, with health issues. You know how it is in Greece, if someone doesn’t score two or three goals in a match, the grumbling starts. He is a serious kid. It’s the fate of centre-forwards, the goals certainly help him. We also have Ioannidis who, when Sporar was not doing his job, helped us a lot. Both don’t think about themselves but about the team. They are two guys whose common characteristic is that they think Panathinaikos will win”.

For the presence of an “elite” referee in the derby: “We are not a team that deals so much with refereeing. Not me as a coach, not my players. I will deal with those issues that I can intervene. The coaches and players are the most enjoyable thing in Greek football. And the most pleasant hours, the hours of the games. Instead of being happy, there are things that do not depend on us, behaviors that do not depend on us and spoil the image of what is happening in Greek football”.

For Aitor’s absence: “Yes, certainly Aitor is a kid who in our way of playing plays an important role. We definitely missed the moment when he was the best winger. We sure miss him. He is in a recovery phase and will be ready for the new season. He is here with us, training on a daily basis. The way to overcome such losses is teamwork and effort, as each player has their own characteristics. In a specific position where there are many things you ask for, it is not easy for everyone to respond. We haven’t changed the way we play, and maybe that helps players make up for his loss. It was a great loss, we cannot hide it. As a team we have to find solutions within the team. With his return he will give us many solutions”.

For the… gift of victory: “Tomorrow they have a scheduled day off and Sunday they have a scheduled day off again. There is no better gift in football than when you win. It will be two weeks of good training that we couldn’t do in the previous break because we had a lot of international players. They will have a chance to rest and then we will try to prepare better for the next phase of the playoffs and the demanding schedule that follows.”.