Bernard: “We were slow to react – Let’s learn from our mistakes”

The self-criticism on behalf of everyone in Panathinaikos did the Bernard for the two faces his team presented at “Theramika” against Villarreal knowing the 3-2 defeat. The Brazilian midfielder believes that the “greens” are not allowed to lose their concentration and then run and not arrive. His statements in detail:

-After a game-rodeo, what is the final feeling it leaves you about Panathinaikos? Are you feeling sad?

“We shouldn’t have taken so long to react. We conceded goals at crucial points and it cost us. We knew we had to win the game if we wanted to go on to the next phase of the Europa League and unfortunately, we didn’t do it. We made mistakes that are not allowed at this level and those mistakes determined the final result.”

-Does the reaction after Villarreal’s third goal leave you with optimism, a positive feeling?

“It is not positive for us how we reacted after the third goal. It means we did something wrong and we need to fix it. At this level, with such quality opponents, we have no room to play without concentration for so long in the match. We had to be focused from the start, avoid mistakes and not run later to save the situation.”

-What is the most valuable lesson from the defeat to Villarreal?

“It’s a shame because we didn’t complete the turnaround, because we could have. But, I repeat, the point is for us to have the lead and not to run to overturn the other team’s lead.”

-Now in no time you are playing a game with OFI for the championship. Is it easy to change the chip on the fly?

“Tomorrow is another day. Let’s learn from our mistakes and win the game against OFI on Sunday, to keep Panathinaikos in first place in the league. Our obligations in the Europa League are not over, since we will play with Maccabi Haifa and we have an obligation to take the team to the Conference League.”