Lucescu: “We put this pressure on ourselves, because we want to succeed”

The reasons for the change in the psychology of the PAOK players compared to last year were explained by Razvan Lucescu at the press conference ahead of the rematch with Hearts for the Europa Conference League playoffs.

The coach of the “two-headed team of the North” spoke about the characteristics he expects to see in the game against the Scots, stressing that he has confidence in his players, while also referring to the great pressure that exists in both teams.

In detail, what he said at the press conference:

On whether he is worried about anything in tomorrow’s game: “Anxiety is always there like before every game. In terms of game preparation we are in a good place, we have improved a lot from game to game. We have to present ourselves with the same discipline as from the first game of the season and do what we need to do to qualify.”

For the change in the psychology of the team compared to last year: “I don’t know what to tell you in a few words. This has to do with many factors. First of all, what happened last year is over. This year we are starting from scratch. Until the last match of the season we were carrying a difficult year, so it was affecting us. Second, some characteristics of the team have changed. Personality has been added, confidence is there. There is new air. Thirdly, I think the group is more ready this year, footballers who have gained experience from last year and can fit better with those who are coming now in the summer. Fourth, we want to focus a lot on the energy of the players, the will, to essentially go game by game over three days. We want to move forward with this philosophy.”

On which team has more pressure for tomorrow: “I think both teams are under pressure at the moment. When you go to play a game that gives qualification to European groups there is always pressure. Pressure on us who start with a lead. Pressure on Hearts who start chasing the score. We football people put this pressure on ourselves because we want to succeed. It is obvious that we are a little ahead with the score of the first match, but that does not mean that there is no pressure on one of the two”.

On who is the biggest risk tomorrow for PAOK: “I don’t think my team thinks the qualification is over. I believe that the footballers know well what they have to do to get the qualification. Hearts may change their game or their system, but in football a team usually has an identity so we know what to expect from Hearts and what we need to do to qualify. But in conclusion, football is football with all that entails.”

On Narey and whether the four players in the position are enough: “We have tomorrow’s game and we are focusing on tomorrow’s game, on how we will qualify. Even if four players isn’t enough, it should be. With them we go to tomorrow’s battle”.