Panathinaikos will be… the one to play tomorrow at “Theramika” according to the words of Ivan Jovanovic in the usual press conference before the match against Villarreal!
At the same time, the Serbian coach made it clear that his team must show its value in Europe regardless of the opponent and that it will not compete with the goal of “X”…
While Jovanovic did not fail to “defend” Alberto Brignoli but also the general work being done, denying that Panathinaikos is going through a bad period.
What Jovanovic said in detail:
For tomorrow’s game and Marthelinos, who meets again as an opponent“He hasn’t been at Villarreal long, but he had been here long enough during his previous tenure. Each team has a logic in their game and both teams tomorrow have the same goal. It will be seen who will be in a better day to succeed him.”
For the defeat with Aris: “We are a team that has high goals. We don’t have time for much thinking and especially negative thinking. We know there are hard days. We have to look ahead.. I’m fine with my team. I believe in her and my players and I’m sure we’ll have a good game against Villarreal.”
About Juancar’s return to missions and when he will return to matches: “We need Juancar. We also had him with us in Thessaloniki, but due to the way he competes, I decided that he would need a little more time to be fully ready. Soon he will get the time he needs.”
For the two equal goalkeepers the team has and their management: “I won’t tell you which goalkeeper will play tomorrow if that’s what you want. We have three excellent goalkeepers, who have a great relationship with each other. In football, the mistakes of the goalkeeper are the only ones that are seen so much. The job of the coach and the team is to improve through these mistakes. You know how much trust in these children and Brignoli in particular, who has given a lot in these 2.5 years. Of course also to Yuri who plays less, but whenever he is called upon he gives his best. We all make mistakes during the year. It’s the end goal that matters.”
About whether he would accept to take the draw tomorrow: “The way the situation is in our group, with Villarreal having more points than us and one game less, we definitely don’t have much room. We won’t be able to change the way we think about a game. We are a big team that represents an entire country and that’s why we should show our value in every minute of the match, regardless of the opponent.”
For the consecutive games of Panathinaikos and the rotation: “Two years that I have been in the team, we played Sunday after Sunday. This year we have what I like, what suits me, my players and Panathinaikos. We have high goals, but we also have a corresponding roster. They don’t allow you to have a lot of free and personal time. But it is something intertwined with the big teams. I do not mind. We have a good roster and good footballers to meet the difficulties”.
On whether Panathinaikos has found Villarreal’s “button”.: “The truth is that we played a very good game in the first match between the two teams in an amazing atmosphere. A lot has changed for both of them since then. They have a new coach, a different philosophy. They will probably be more prepared for this match. It was important that we won then. Tomorrow’s match will probably be more important.”
For the feeling that there is for the team that it does not react when things go wrong: “Surely there are several things in our daily life that trouble me as a coach. This is one of them. But there are some things that are presented and we are working on them to fix them. Our reaction with Wren was not what we wanted, and the same in the second half with Aris. They easily cause reflection. But it is something that can be corrected through work. It is a normal development for a team to improve on the problems presented to it during the year. I don’t think it will be a permanent problem.”
As to whether this is all deformation: “In no case. The first half against Aris was one of the best we did in the league this year. In the intensity, the way we played, etc. Then when we conceded the goal and had to chase the result, we had to be faster, more pressing and make more decisions to change the situation on the pitch. We didn’t have the choices we made in the first part and that’s why we didn’t get the first good phases. But I don’t accept deformation.”
For the negative tradition of Panathinaikos in Spain, even if he counts it: “I stopped taking them into account at Panathinaikos (laughter). Regardless of this tradition, they are a team that has generally made great strides in Europe. Spain as a football country is among the best and that is why the matches are always difficult. It is not easy for any other country or team, not only for us.”
On whether he thinks Villarreal have improved and in what areas of their game: “The first game against Villarreal was at the beginning of the season. Sure – we watched this team during the championship and the rest of our opponents. Mr. Marthelino knows the environment here well. It is a team that has good footballers. He doesn’t need too much to get back to the top of the standings he wants to be. I wish them the best in their league. I believe he will succeed, Mr. Marthelino is a very good coach.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
