Loucheskou: “PAOK’s confidence is constantly growing – Patience and work or changes every year”

Razvan made the… difference Lucescuspeaking in an interview about last year’s differences PAOK with this year’s, but also with himself!

The Romanian technician spoke to her camera about the competition between Bamba and Rafa Soares, about the evolution of Koulierakis-Konstantelias, and also about the return of Tsingaras.

Even to… Pep Guardiola, Lucescu was mentioned, among others, on the occasion of the upcoming match of the “double-header of the North” with Kifissia…

“We are focused on the match against Kifissia. From the European game against Hearts, I keep the result which gives us an advantage going into the second leg and the confidence which is constantly growing within the group. The next game is always the most important. You can’t be left behind. We must be at the highest level of concentration. We have to prepare it well and find the motivation“, the 54-year-old coach initially said.

For the differences presented by PAOK from last year: “I think the work started last year and I noted that we will see this work next season and I can analyze it. First of all in the team there are the guys who were with us last year and have now assimilated the way we want to play. Last season there were footballers and they got performances. You see, for example, that this year we have an even better Kotarski. Should I talk about Konstantinos and Koulierakis who played their first season last year? Should I talk about Tsingara who came after his loan to France more mature and different? Maybe not many players came this year but players with personality came and that is important and it gave an extra motivation to the footballers, who were already here and had already collected some experiences throughout last season as well. Let me give you an example. Rafa Soares is a completely different player from last season. Baba also came and there is an excellent competition between them which is good for both of them but also the team wins while it also gives me the possibility as a coach to be able to have alternatives to rest anyone. What we all need to understand is that it takes time. Take Guardiola for example. In his first year he got nothing. He played excellent football but did not win a title. He had good footballers, fantastic footballers according to him he should have won a title but he didn’t. You have two options. Or be patient and work, or change your roster every year. But that’s how you destroy the strategy you’ve decided to follow.”

To conclude by saying:At this age it is not possible for Koulierakis not to make mistakes. But he’s a different personality compared to last year. Lack of experience is something that can be overcome and I’m not worried. Shall I talk about Michaelidis? Last year he had lost his motivation. This year he is here and fighting! Murg? Football players came last year and he was disappointed. But this year he is here with us with all his energy. And let me say one more thing: I am also different from last year. I may also have been affected by the exclusion from Levski and made my work more difficult. But we are now a strong working group and with last year’s performances we can manage things».