Ioannidis: “First time my name was heard so loudly – Sporar was the best partner I had”

After the match, Fotis Ioannidis mentioned the self-confidence that the victory over Villarreal and the goal he scored gave both him and Panathinaikos.

The Greek striker, who scored three European goals this season, he also stood on the apotheosis he experienced from the friends of the “clover” in the stands, but also his coexistence with him Andraz Sporarwhom he considers as the top partner that he has ever had on the court during his career.

Among other things, Fotis Ioannidis analyzed the goal he achieved, but also the… moment in which it came.

His statements in detail:

What are your feelings and thoughts after the impressive win over Villarreal?

“It is a great victory that gives us confidence to continue working, as we have been doing so far. All matches are decisive, we play every 3-4 days. By performing to the best of our abilities, we will have the opportunity to stay within all of our goals.”

In a Europa League group game, against a team like Villarreal, against a goalkeeper who has lived… everything, like Reina. And yet, you have the composure to finish the phase the way you do and score. How can you be so calm?

“My job is to score. At this stage, I managed to do what I had to do. Both the goalkeeper and the opponent are of the highest level. As a person and as a footballer, I never look at the opponent. If I feel good and see that I am able to bring out what I have in me in the fight, I can do it against anyone.”

You have already scored three goals in the European Cups. Two months ago, could you have imagined that Fotis will have reached this level both competitively and psychologically at the end of September?

“It’s true that I usually start scoring later, from January! This year I said to start earlier, so as not to waste time. I believe in my abilities, I’m an optimistic person and that comes out on the pitch as well.”

How did you feel hearing a full Olympic Stadium sing your name? “The truth is that my name was heard very loudly. First time I heard it so loud!”.

Will they shout it again with AEK? “Hopefully, my goal is to always help my team and make the fans happy. Monday… short celebration!”.

In the phase at the beginning of the second half when you didn’t manage to score, what happened? “I made a very nice effort in control and in how I avoided the opponent. I had time and I was afraid to open the control, because Reyna also took steps outside. I wanted to make a contact and field, but the contact stuck in the field and then the defender came. Next time I’ll score!”

Sporar also scored against Villarreal. After today’s match are you both even more confident and motivated to work even harder?

“At the end of the game, Sporar told me that this is what we should do in every match, succeed by one goal and win. I told him that it doesn’t matter who starts in the starting line-up and who goes into the match as a substitute. We have a terrible relationship. Andraz is a terrible player, what has been written or said is wrong. It has helped a lot both this year and last year.

He will do so in the rest of the season, both in the league and in Europe. He’s the best partner I’ve ever had on the court. When I came to Panathinaikos, I didn’t know how to move around the area with ease. I was sitting and watching him. He was trying to explain to me. I have learned many things from Andraz”.