Bernard: “Final matches with Dnipro, we will be stronger than last year”

He called finals for him Panathinaikos the matches with Dnipro for the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League o Bernard.

“I’m sure we all understand how important the games with Dnipro are. Because if we go through, we will play data in the groups. It’s the first games of the season“, emphasized the Brazilian ace and added: “We can win a lot from these two matches, but also lose as many».

The ace of the “trefoil” expressed the opinion that his team will be stronger in this year’s qualifiers: “We were strong and played well last year too, but this year we are stronger and will perform better».

In detail what he said to Panathinaikos reporters:

How do you feel after the first strong friendly of the preparation? Why was your previous opponent an amateur team and didn’t give you much trouble?

“The level of this friendly was very different from the previous one. Our first opponent had a very low capacity. It didn’t bother us. But it was good to start with a gradual increase in level, because we were out of action for a month. We had to start from the bottom and slowly play with stronger opponents, like Rogaska. It’s not the strongest team, but it was a good opportunity for us to play and show the elements we work on every day. I think we created dangerous phases, we had the right choices and I am sure that when we finish the preparation, we will be in perfect physical shape and we will be completely ready for the challenges that we will face this year».

Did you feel that facing Rogaska, it was as if you had an opponent against some small and medium-sized team from the Greek league?

“It has similarities. We saw at several points in the match that eleven players were behind the ball. We must learn to react differently. To think faster, to play at once, to do things that will surprise our opponent. We tried to play like this, several times we succeeded, we created spaces, we had a successful “one or two”. Because of such combinations we had chances and we scored».

You returned to Europe motivated to play in the Champions League again and now the games with Dnipro are coming. How are you waiting?

“It was one of the reasons I came back. I have played against Dnipro when I was a Shakhtar player, of course it has been years since then, but I know the temperament of this team. I also faced them last year in a friendly when I was still in Sharjah, I know they have a competitive squad with good players and they have learned to get results. To play in the Champions League, they have quality and they deserve it and we have to approach them with caution. I think we’ll be ready and I’m looking forward to playing in Europe again because it’s important for the club and the players».

In the team, do you receive this obligation that you have this year to fight for the title and qualify for the groups of a European competition? Is “should” emphatic?

“I’m sure we all understand how important the games with Dnipro are. Because if we go through, we will play data in the groups. It’s the first games of the season, but it’s like finals for us. We can win a lot from these two matches, but also lose as many. We must maintain our focus and attention, because we may make our year. I believe that we have a good team and we will also play football this year. We were strong and played well last year too, but this year we are stronger and will perform better».

Does strengthening the squad mean bringing in new players, with personality and quality, and facing more competition?

“The transfer boost will benefit the group, because it will raise its level. No one feels confident about the lineup, we all have to be alert. Whoever is complacent, the new player will come and take his place. We all want to play, we will be forced to give 100% every day, not to be benched. In the end, the coach will decide and we will respect his decisions. We know Jovanovic will try to find the best solutions for the team and we know he has the skills to do it».