Magnuson: “Let’s take the small step we missed last year”

Magnuson expressed his belief that Panathinaikos will be better than last season and will take the step it lacked in his statements after the end of the match against Rogatska, in the second pre-season friendly.

Here are Magnuson’s statements:

-Second victory in the team’s friendlies in Austria, but perhaps the most important thing was the fact that all the players got a rhythm on their feet…

“Yes, the most important thing is that we are all… healthy after this match. It’s good to play friendly matches like this in preparation so you can put everything in one row before the season starts. So, yes, it was a good and important test for us.”

-You scored another goal with a direct free kick. You kept the… tradition. You still have it…



“Yes, I still ‘have’ it. But unfortunately during last season, I wanted to have scored more times. I’ll try to promise more goals next year, but hey, it’s always nice to score goals.”

-The first big goal of the season is Europe and the two games against Dnipro that can give you a ticket, minimum to the Europa League groups. Then comes the championship goal. A more difficult year begins and with more demands from you…



“Every year is difficult. Now some new players have come, some others have left, but the situation is good. The squad looks very solid, we are a very good group, there are good people at the club and we are ready to fight even harder this season than last year. We want to do better… I know we did well last year too, but honestly we want to find that little step that we missed last year.”

-Do you feel like you have a “final” ahead of you too early in the season?



“No, I think the timing is good. End of July, beginning of August… we have a few weeks to prepare for these games. It’s my first three days here in preparation and everything is looking good. I look forward to continuing to work with the team. We will play well as a team and we are looking forward to these games with Dnipro.”

-In the center of the defense are you and Bart and some new guys. Some more defenders will be acquired soon. Do you feel more responsibility because you are currently the most experienced players at the back?



“Yes, I felt this last year when I joined the team. I felt like they had some extra… pounds on my back that I would have to “carry”, but in games I didn’t feel that. Because we did well and we have a very good team. Sincerely. We had quite a few young lads who played in this friendly against Rogaska and they left me very satisfied. We have a very good Academy and the future is bright for Panathinaikos in this regard as well. I’m ready to give my best and help the new guys to learn as much as possible from Bart and me. If new players come it will be good, but already our level is very good…”