Mandalos: “I was even thinking about quitting football – And at -8 we thought we would get it”

Petros Mandalos for everyone and everything!

The 31-year-old spoke together with Sergio Araujo on his show Demi Nikolaidis in NOVA from the OPAP Arena about what has happened since last year, when he decided to leave the captain’s armband at AEK, reaching this year’s redemption, by winning the championship. Mandalos, in fact, revealed that he thought, not just to leave the “Union”, but even to stop football, stressing: “The sports fan is looking for a Greek to blame. It is easier in Greece to target a Greek player.”

So, about the conversation he had with Dimitris Melissanidis and about the possibility of him leaving, he said: “We had made an appointment with the president and I had told him that it’s best to leave. However, it is not easy to talk to a president if he has a different opinion. So he made it clear to me that I’m not going to leave. I told him that I want the burden to go away from me, not to be a leader. To go a year without wearing the armband. This season plays a big role (in terms of enduring). Imagine if we had a year similar to last year. If I go two years ago, I will tell you that I do not know how I endured. Everything has crossed my mind. Especially last year, I even thought about quitting football. I thought something was wrong. I was saying that my last resort, if things don’t work out, will be to quit football. The National when I went was an oasis, I changed performances, I got help to endure».

As for the reactions of the people, who often put him in the eye, he answered: “The sports fan is looking for a Greek to blame. It is easier in Greece to target a Greek player».

From there, he said:

On the differences between the two championships he won with AEK: “Incredible feelings, but this is very different. The biggest reason that makes it special is that it’s happening on this field, in the first year».

On the differences he saw in football this year: “We didn’t know the coach, but from the first day he came, when we went to Holland for the pre-season, he demanded pressing, intensity and aggression. I’ve heard other coaches ask for it. He put his words into action, with the material he had. He has his own way, if you see his character you understand it. He is very close to the footballer as a person, he is interested in the players. Not only for Mandalo the footballer, but also for the man. It’s important to know that he cares about you».

For the moment that stands out in the OPAP Arena: “The referee’s final whistle in the match against Volos was the sweetest. It sounded a little, but it was very nice, even though we knew the result. I came to the stadium two hours before, but I got in much later, I don’t think I’ve ever seen such panic outside».

For speaking in the best words about Almeida even when he didn’t put him in the spotlight: “It’s on the coach. The things he told me about why I wasn’t starting, the way he treated me, made me take my hat off to him. The coach wants me on the bench. His manner made me accept it. Of course every footballer wants to compete, but he made me respect it».

On whether there was a game that they believed AEK could win the championship during the season: “When we were chasing in the standings we didn’t say to each other “let’s go catch them”, but we believed that we would be first. It seemed in every game that we want to get closer. What you saw if you came to a training session was a team that wants to win the championship. It was difficult when we were eight points behind but anyone you asked would tell you we can take it».

For lifting the trophy together with Sergio Araujo: “It wasn’t spontaneous, he was telling me that we will get it together. I told him that the three of them will lift it. Out of madness, we finally lifted the trophy aside».

For the goal he scored in Karaiskakis: “It is special, also because of the team we were playing. I could compare it in beauty with a goal I had scored in OAKA, I think with Larisa. The happiest goal for sure. It seems from the way I celebrated. For me this celebration is considered furious »

On whether he thinks he is ending his career at AEK: “I do not know what to say to you. I wasn’t an AEK player since I was little, but I always had it in mind to stay in a team for years. My first shirt was Totti’s. It was no accident, he was loyal to a group. It was my passion since I was little.”

For whom he would choose as MVP of this year’s AEK: “Defenders are always wronged in these questions. Back what’s up? Mukudi, Vida have been pillars this year. The question is very difficult. I want to answer the one I would put. Orbelin (s.s. Pineda). If you start you can say 12 players, but I have to choose one I’m closer to.”

For the goals scored by Levia Garcia: “The only thing he missed was the goal. The coach said it from the beginning, that his position is center forward. You say he is a coach, he will know something more. To do it, he wants to win, he believes it. He did so many things, it worked out for him.”

On how to stay focused: “Our next training session is on Wednesday, that’s when we will know that the celebrations are over. Almeida will take care of it. When he does work, he does work. I might call him to go for coffee, when we’re not training he’s like a football player.”

For the finals with PAOK: “We have to stay focused, it’s special for many reasons. To do the double and why we lost the previous finals to PAOK. That makes us want it even more.”

For the upcoming European obligations: “I missed Europe, especially this year when we didn’t play at all. In previous years, whether it was a good year or a bad year, we always played, these games are different. This year in this crazy year I missed him.”

Because the final of the Conference League can be held in Athens: “We have underestimated the Conference. Of course, I would prefer to play in a final, than to participate in the groups of a bigger competition.”

For the competitors in this year’s title race: “We were four contenders in the playoffs, I can’t remember if it’s been done again. this is what the country needs, to have more competition, why not? Based on the result, Panathinaikos made it more difficult for us. Total built from last year, they knew what they wanted, it showed in their game.

For the role that OPAP Arena played in this year’s course: “The results show what role the pitch played. I compare this year’s with the years of OAKA. It’s a number of things that make it special. Everything was perfect”.

In response to people’s questions about how he withstood the pressure he received and the questioning: “I think we have answered that. Ten people to ask, the first question will be this. I don’t know if they feel guilty, but they might understand. I have now cleared things up in my mind, I have put them in order”

On whether he will end his career at AEK: “I want it, here we are… we passed the big tracks, now they seem easier and much nicer. I would like to finish my career at AEK”.

For his celebration of the goal he scored in Karaiskakis: “I have done this celebration once again in the Ionian. It was very spontaneous, I don’t have a specific celebration. I put the goal and whatever comes out. We didn’t even say anything to Toumba, that’s what happened. The celebration had no message.”

For the team he supports in European football: “I was always with Barca because of Messi. When he left I stopped working. I want him back like crazy”