The former goalkeeper of Panathinaikos gave a full interview to a Polish website. Socrates Dioudis.
The experienced goalkeeper who now defends the home of Zaglebie, with whom he recently extended his cooperation, spoke about his tenure in the “clover”, his presence in the Greek National Team and his shocking injury in the derby with Olympiakos of the season 2018-19, where he “forced” the red and white fans to applaud him.
Sokratis Dioudis stated in detail in his interview with TVP Sport:
For Zaglebie: “I am very satisfied with the time I have already spent here. A few years ago, I really didn’t think I would like the atmosphere in the team and the Polish league so much. Coming to you was a good decision. I love spending time here and playing in Zaglebie. I believe that next season will be much better and we can achieve a lot more. That’s why I chose to stay here.”
On rumors of Rangers interest: “I had many options and proposals from other countries. I played a good half a season and was on a short contract, so they scouted me. But I wanted to stay in Zaglebie. I felt from the people at the club that they care about me. So I didn’t think too much about making a decision.”.
About the nickname “Batman”: “It started with my previous club, Panathinaikos. My friends knew that my favorite superhero since I was little was Batman. I played some good games and they started calling me that. Greek journalists quickly caught on and started calling me that. It spread quickly”.
About his tenure at Panathinaikos: “I went to Panathinaikos when the club had financial problems and had to completely rebuild the team. I took my chance and very quickly became the first goalkeeper. You know, when you play for such a big club, you have big ambitions and huge motivation. So I knew I had to evolve to improve my game. Playing in this club, I had to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Greek league.”
On the injury in the derby with Olympiakos: “It was a terrible, terrible time. I don’t remember much from that situation. They were kicking me in the face and I didn’t know what was going on. It wasn’t until I watched the video that I realized how scary the situation was. I was scared just looking at it because it looked serious. But I was very lucky because after a while I returned to training.
The first days after returning to training were the worst. For two weeks I had it in my head, I was afraid, I was very careful of myself. But then I put that scene out of my mind – I went out on the field and played like before”.
For Mars: “Thessaloniki is my hometown – I was born there, I went to school there and I took my first steps in football. I dreamed of playing professionally and one day that dream came true. From the youth team I reached the first team. I felt happy when I could play at the club where I grew up. Ares is a very important part of my life”.
For the silver medal with the U19 National Team: “We had a very strong team. But in the final we met the Spaniards who were amazing. They deserved to win. But when you’re so close to the trophy, you always wish you didn’t have it. However, playing in the European Championship final was amazing! I still have all those games in my head and the memories will last a lifetime.”
For the Men’s National Team: “When I was the main goalkeeper of Panathinaikos, I was often called up to the national team. Unfortunately I didn’t play for the club last year so I lost my place. But I am healthy, I feel good and I hope that after a successful season in Zaglebie, the staff of the Greek team will consider me again”.
For the period he was a substitute at Panathinaikos: “Sometimes in football your situation can change in an instant. Panathinaikos then changed coach, a new one came in, a new goalkeeper came in. At the beginning of the season I was playing, after all I was recently voted as the best goalkeeper in Greece. After a few shows though, I got sick with Covid. I lost two matches. And then the coach took me out less and less.
So I asked for a transfer. There were several offers, but the club demanded a huge amount for me and they did not allow me to leave. So I stayed put for almost a year without playing for a long time. I was accompanied by many emotions. I was angry, disappointed. But my mindset always told me to work hard no matter what and find the positive in every situation. What I went through last year at Panathinaikos made me develop even more as an athlete and as a person”.
Source: Sport Fm
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