On the injury of Tsigaras, who may have broken a rib, on the difficult summer that everyone in the team is going through due to pressure, but also on the transfers that the team is working on, he spoke at the press conference after PAOK qualified against Hajduk Razvan Lucescu.
What he said in detail at the press conference:
For the analysis of the two halves with two completely different images and the team’s outburst at the end: “First of all I want to say that we had two very difficult weeks because we had a difficult opponent in front of us. People may not know it but Hajduk were a complicated team with quality and made our preparation difficult. We really wanted qualification, we showed it and we deserved it. This win was mainly based on our mentality in those two matches. We managed well the difficult moments that we found in front of us and we were the ones who had to mentally.
I think our problem in the first half was that we were not aggressive, both in attack, in the center and in defense. We were stressed and that stress brought about a lack of aggression. We faced our anxiety for this qualification and we did it. It gave that anxiety the right to charge the area and create situations, controlling possession but we responded well.
In the second part we did what we should have done in the first place. We showed pieces of the identity we have as a team. We pushed higher, we were more aggressive in marking and from there the image change began. We scored two goals, created chances. This pressure took away from Hajduk the ability to create phases and we were effective in transitions.
In these games it was proven once again, that you have to take what you can with the aim of the next pair, for the ultimate goal that exists for us. Both against Beitar and Hajduk, the team showed that it can respond to difficult times. The players had answers in these four matches, they knew how to get what they needed. The details that decided the couple were with us, we were the right ones and that’s why luck was with us.”
On the second zero in defense in the games against Hajduk and whether it raises the team’s morale: “This should happen. These games must lift our spirits, and our spirits must rise both with the zero in the defense and with the qualification. Here I have to highlight Kotarski’s appearances. In all four matches he was excellent. He made some mistakes with the ball, but was impressive in managing situations and making interventions. He showed personality, quality and his overall presence was awesome.”
On managing the first leg in Split and whether he had the rematch in mind: “There are moments in our games when we have to take advantage of every situation. We have to understand how we prepare for each game and in our mentality. To show the will to win, to have patience. In Split we had to think that there were some players who weren’t quite ready with small injury problems, we had young players together and we couldn’t get them to play as much as we wanted. We had specific things in mind. I would love to tell you that PAOK will always be a war machine, but that cannot be done.
More or less the same happened in the second match, we had players who were not 100% ready. We had players on the pitch with quality, with experience and with confidence. We could not due to problems have a completely ready team. During the week we said that the qualification will be decided towards the end of the match and that’s how it happened”.
On the difficult summer that PAOK is going through with the difficult draws, the delays in transfers, how relieved he feels after qualifying and his comment on Tsingaras’ image: “I don’t know what to say, but it certainly wasn’t a very difficult summer for us. A lot of pressure, a lot of stress, a lot of thoughts for us in all areas. There were some delays in transfers. This qualification does not relieve me, but I am very satisfied. We have matches on Sunday for the championship and on Thursday we play the first match for the playoffs. We have to deal with injury problems, like Filipe’s, Tsingaras also has a problem and he might have a broken rib, possibly serious. I hope we can find solutions for the problems for the next games.
Tsingaras has shown a more mature face in the games so far, he seems to have more confidence. Before going to France he had a good season, in his loan he improved and came back better. I am satisfied with his contribution and I expect him to score a goal. He is a midfielder who gets into scoring positions and I expect him to score.”
On starting the season with a not-full roster and what he thinks going forward: “As I said before, my thoughts are on the next game. This summer we started with a different mentality and we aim to get the best we can from every game. I am completely different compared to last year, I am more determined than last year. I want us to take advantage of all the opportunities that are given to us. I will not advance my thought further, because we still have a lot to do. Our thoughts are on today and the next match, which is the one against Asteras. We have to be psyched, determined. Our mind is only on the Star.”
For the roster and possible changes: “I don’t know about any players who have a chance to leave. With the team, we all work together to bring two players to cover the needs of the team. Players with personality, with quality who will give us solutions”.
Source: Sport Fm
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