Jovanovic: “An even bigger chance – 2-1 gives us the right to fight until the end”!

The optimism that Panathinaikos can qualify for the OAKA was emphasized by Ivan Jovanovich at the press conference ahead of the rematch with Braga for the Champions League playoffs.

The coach of the “clover” referred to the chances that his team has to overturn the 2-1 deficit of the first match and he particularly focused on the mentality that has brought them this far.

He also commented on the incident with Andraz Sporar, as well as the strong presence of the crowd at the Olympic Stadium, expressing his joy and emphasizing, at the same time, that the game is played inside the playing field.

In detail, what he said at the press conference ahead of the rematch with Braga:

For what game he expects to see, open or expediency: “We don’t have many options in front of us. The only purpose is to win and reverse the outcome. As a team, we always wanted both games to be decided by the result, and the upcoming game is one of them. We have to win if we want to be in the groups. Braga is ordinary, they have experience in their league and in Europe. It’s an open game from both teams. We especially have to overturn the data against us”.

About the psychology in the locker room and whether it will play a role: “It makes sense, because when there are two games, the result of the first can always shape different conditions for the rematch. And in the first game, for the most part we were good on the pitch, but the conditions were such that the score could have been different. The result gives us the right to claim qualification until the end. These are high level teams. The result depends not only on us but also on the opponent. We have more experience against Braga, I don’t expect big differences in the game. We know we have to play better, to overturn the result and reduce some mistakes – which weren’t many, but they happened – to be safer.”

Because Panathinaikos scores in the end: “Being competitive until the end is important for a team, for their confidence. It also comes from the play he can do. Especially at this stage we are in, in terms of the importance of the games and the pressure that is there and in our good moments and when the opponent had the upper hand, the way the team works gives confidence to the players. They understand our dynamics and believe to the end that things can change. It’s not just about those who start, but also those who join later. We had huge help from players who came off the bench and changed the game. They are very important in the context of the qualifiers, they are knock-out games where you go on or stay out. When we have reached this point, the confidence is at a higher level.”

That there are 18 players ready to play for the return to the groups: “Panathinaikos is currently different from two years ago, in terms of the roster. There was certainly a lot that happened in those two years to get to this point. The real protagonists are the players. There are many who were here two years ago. The development of a team through a more quality league and through respect for the jersey and the history of the team, but also to the world that never stopped believing, brought us to this position. Tomorrow we will have a full Olympic Stadium like in the past. It makes us feel good, but it also increases the demands and the obligation we have to continue to present a good image of the team in Greece and in Europe”.

For gathering: “To be honest, there is a discussion to play every game to the end, but we don’t spend a lot of time on it. It comes through the team and their confidence. In the qualifiers things are a little different. We know we live for two games every opponent and there is no going back. The concentration, the mood, the thirst for distinction is something new this year. That’s probably why we’re more focused as a team. “Whether someone is struggling, or someone comes in later and tries to change the situation, it helps us a lot and that’s what we need in games like this.”

For Andraz Sporar: “As for the scene with Sporar after the first game against Braga and the chance he missed, it is reaching the point of exaggeration. It is typical for us in Greece and the Balkans. We remember something unfortunate in the game to mark a person and we don’t remember anything positive he can do in his tenure. I had no doubt that despite what someone might write in the comments, the reality is what happens on the field. In the last game, Panathinaikos people showed their superiority, in what Sporar experienced when he went to warm up. Those who live the team understand how important this support is. What happened to Andraz happened to many footballers. The best were missing incredible opportunities. We wait for something to happen to blame something. It’s the mentality we have. Andraz understood there, in the real circumstances, that Panathinaikos and its fans are in difficult times next to us. It’s not just about the faces, it’s about the team. They have shown it even in difficult times, not only now when things are going well.”

For the atmosphere at OAKA: “The fans will support us, but we play. Braga, because you avoid asking me about her and the whole press conference is about the atmosphere, she has been playing to packed stadiums for years, she has no problem with that. I am very happy that OAKA will be full. The atmosphere can affect us positively, but that and the game are different. We have to face a good and experienced team, I rely more on our strengths because we play the game, its outcome depends on us. Regarding OAKA I am certainly very happy, it reflects the size of Panathinaikos the presence of the fans in such a stadium, but the game is played inside the lines”.