An interview with all the material he gave to an Italian podcast Alberto Brignoli. The goalkeeper of Panathinaikos, speaking to the journalist Ricardo Caprai, of “Goalkeepermania” referred to his tenure at the “clover” so far during his stay in Greece, while among other things he referred to the differences between the Greek and Italian leagues.
About his tenure at Panathinaikos:
“It’s a nice experience, a nice adventure. Two seasons ago I came to the team when this opportunity presented itself to me. Panathinaikos was coming out of a difficult period and had to start from scratch. There was a new coach, new players – essentially a new team, a new sporting director. Some steps have been taken. The team qualified for the Europa Conference League qualifiers. In the first season we also won the Cup. That season went well. Last season we started so and so, we were also eliminated by Sparta Prague, but in the league we started impressively with ten consecutive wins, if I remember correctly.
I think we lost the first match in February against AEK. We claimed the championship until the end, until the last matchday, where unfortunately we lost it. Even so we qualified to play in the Champions League where we came very close to qualifying for the group stage but were knocked out by Braga.
So we went to the Europa League, where we started very well with a win at home to Villarreal and a draw away to Maccabi Haifa and tomorrow we have the match against Rennes at home. So far, the sign is undoubtedly positive.”
For him:
“I think it is very important for a goalkeeper to go through all categories. It shapes your character and gives you a lot. It prepares you to be ready when you need to be ready”
For the differences between Italian and Greek football:
“In Greece there are essentially five teams, Panathinaikos, AEK, Olympiacos, PAOK and Aris which is the top-5, teams that, to make it easier to understand, could play in Serie A and achieve a comfortable stay.
What changes is the level of the rest of the teams, it is more “broken”. You find for example teams that would play, mostly in Serie B and struggle to make a mediocre league and probably not be able to win the trophy and other teams that in Italy would be in the 3rd division and struggle to get promoted.
These differences are not necessarily on a technical level, but on a financial and organizational level, as there is no central television management here. So it is easier for a provider to give more money to Panathinaikos than to a new team.
But if you compare it with Italy, playing for Panathinaikos, Olympiakos and AEK is like playing for Milan, Inter, Juventus, etc.”
On his decision to play for Panathinaikos:
“This opportunity came to me and I thought ‘take it.’ In Italy, I had many experiences. From playing a lot, to not playing at all. In Serie B I proved that I can make a difference. In Serie A I wasn’t given many consecutive opportunities. Going back to Serie B didn’t convince me. So I decided to go to Panathinaikos, to try something different. To have the opportunity to play in Europe”
Source: Sport Fm
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