Leko: “PAOK is more experienced and richer than us, but I believe in my team”

Statements ahead of the first match (10/8, 22:00) with PAOK for the 3rd qualifying round of the Conference League, made by its coach Hajduk, Ivan Leko.

After talking about his tenure at Thessaloniki as an assistant coach, he described PAOK as more experienced and richer than his team, however he expressed his belief that his team can be the one to celebrate the qualification.

What the Hajduk coach said in detail:



About his tenure at PAOK: “When I was at PAOK as an assistant coach, this team started to be built. The president wanted to ‘knock’ Olympiakos off the top, to become the first, and he succeeded. With a lot of investment, a lot of money. In the last four, five years, PAOK has won championships and cups, it has this mentality”.

For the upcoming match: “Each race has its own story and carries something special. You always want to know your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses so you can better prepare your team. I believe in my team, we can line up on the pitch with intensity and quality, facing an opponent who is certainly more experienced than us in such games, a richer and more expensive team than us. However, I really believe we will play well in both games and have a real chance of qualifying.”.

On whether there is extra pressure on his team because there is a sell out: “I don’t want us to have a quiet atmosphere. We are Hajduk, we love this madness. We are crazy. In the end, only what happens on the pitch counts, and that’s why it’s important to stay calm and focused on it. For days we have been saying that calmness and concentration are the two most important things. On the other hand, I have faith that we are good enough to beat everyone. I have great respect for PAOK. The club and the coach, but I believe a lot in my team and I think we are ready. We can’t wait for the game to begin”.