Masouras: “Time to turn the switch”

AUSTRIA: Mission of Herakles Antipas. It was November 23, 2018, when Mr Olympic announced the acquisition of Giorgos Masouras from Panionios. He joined Piraeus in January 2019 and few expected that he would become a key cog in the “red and white” machine.

The international midfielder worked, took advantage of the opportunities given to him by Pedro Martins and established himself in the team.

He played for the first time against Larissa (January 30) and scored his first goal.

After 4.5 years and 210 games, he has 47 goals and 25 assists. Numbers that cannot go unnoticed.

Last year he did not reach his normal standards (five goals and four assists), but this year in the new beginning of Olympiakos, he will try to gain the trust of Diego Martinez and become part of the “Spanish school”, as he described it.

The 29-year-old attacking midfielder spoke to the delegates who cover the preparation of Olympiakos. Always smiling, honest and optimistic about the next season.

What are the impressions from the first days of preparation in Austria?

“Initially we have come to a very beautiful training center. This is essential for a preparation. The field is very good. The facilities are very beautiful and we have all the possibilities to work properly.”

You have a new coach, a new philosophy, a new way of working. What are they asking you?

“I have very little time with the team. However, I already see several changes in the way the coach thinks. The most important thing of all is that we are going to build a strong team above all and I think that through the details that the coach tells us every day, we will succeed”.

Being one of the oldest on the roster, how does it feel heading into the new season in terms of preparation?

“I can see an optimistic atmosphere from all the people who surround the coach, as well as the oldest members of the staff. There is an optimism, an appetite for work and an appetite for a new beginning. This is the key ingredient to start and get to the official games.”

What will we see different from this year’s Olympiakos?

“I think the main thing is that he is going to build a team. That’s where everything rests. And from the technical director who spoke to us and told us what he wants to do, but also from the coach. He wants to add elements to his game in terms of possession of the ball which is characteristic of the Spanish school. From there on everything will be seen on the field. We have to work every day with the details that the coach wants to reach the highest level. To create some habits that will come out automatically in the game”.

You now have the first friendly. What will we see with Slovakia?

“We will see it in the match. I think we will see a different mood. We will see an optimistic climate, which I have received all this time that I have been here. However, it is the first friendly.”

Because you are one of the most experienced, do you feel a burden of “must” for the team to function properly?

“Obviously when you are at Olympiakos you have to succeed and be at the top level. I don’t think last year, even though we didn’t win the title, was a disaster. There was a good level in attack as well. However, as you said, everything is judged in the end by the titles. Obviously we are all in the mood to flip the switch and bring Olympiacos back to the top. That was always the goal. To bring the team back to the top and to the European successes”.

Spiritually, how do you work and what is your personal goal?

“Certainly when a preparation starts, you want to work a lot, to reach your limits and during the season your natural powers will come out. The psychological part comes game by game, practice by practice. You should also master something, so that you reach the level you need when you have official obligations.”

Which jersey do you like the second or the third?

“Whichever of the two wins first, then it will stay. Whatever I like, it doesn’t matter.”

In doubles, you also played as an attacker. How do you feel;

“It’s something I’ve tried in official games as well. I am currently helping out in this position because the team needs it. I feel comfortable, but I will have to develop further through work. And in this position, and in general in my position.”