Manzios: “The Government’s decision is 100% wrong – The real protagonists of football are being punished”

After the short break due to the referees’ abstention, the action in the Stoiximan Super League continues, with Mars to welcome him OFI (17/12, 15:00).

In view of this match, o Akis Manzios commented on her measures Government after the episodes of Rentibut also the fact that the match will take place behind closed doors based on them, taking a clear position against the decisions.

In detail what he said to the NOVA camera:

Initially, when asked whether the sudden break in the league, due to the absence of the referees last weekend (9 & 10/12) benefited his team competitively or not, he answered: “That will be seen. This interruption had two aspects for us. First, we were at a good level, psychologically and competitively, so it was not good in that respect. On the other hand, it benefited us in that it allowed us to work harder for another week and for some injured people to come back and raise their level of readiness. In conclusion, in the game with OFI we will see how the break will turn out for us.”

Since the discussion started with the interruption, when asked how he comments on all that has happened in Greek football in the last few days, he was… stormy, talking about the damage of his own team: “First of all, all these events (including incidents and the serious injury of the police officer in Rentis) are sad. From then on, a decision was made (by the Government), which is 100% wrong. With it, the real protagonists of football are punished. Throughout the years, whenever we have had serious incidents of fan violence, no measure has been taken to root out the evil. I agree that there is an increase in fan violence around the world, but in no major league has a decision been made to play football matches behind closed doors. With this decision, you are punishing football itself and its protagonists. Punitive teams, which are not involved in incidents. It’s a wrong decision. Especially us, as a team, depriving our world of three big games early in the new year. This is a loss, as everyone knows the dynamics that “Kleanthis Vikelidis” has with the people in the stands. For us, the absence of our fans is a significant loss.”

On top of that, since the first game that Aris will play without people is the one against OFI, when asked how the team will feel entering an empty stadium, he said: “There are many children who have come this season from abroad to the team. They were surprised by this decision. We’re talking about it. We have to adapt, because it will be something “cold” for them and for all of us. We have experienced it again in the age of the corona virus. Unfortunately, there is no other choice… We have to adapt as best as we can to the new situation.”

In competitive matters, we asked Aris’ coach to give a brief account of the first round for the team. In doing so, he stated: “It is a season that runs with many problems. A season that didn’t start well. Aris has a completely new team with 19 new players. Still, even if we take all this into account, maybe we could have some points more than at the beginning of the championship. But really, we went through a very difficult time. We tried to do the best we could for the team, even with the many injuries we had to deal with. I hope in the second round first of all we are healthy. To have all the footballers at our disposal and to be even better, so that we can go higher in the standings”.

As he talked about player injuries, the question was raised about the long-suffering “10” position in the team, and on the occasion of the return of Lucas Rupp after three months. Answered: “It’s certainly a position that, and based on the planning that was done last summer, it was calculated that it could be filled. The return of Manus Garthia was then scheduled to happen more quickly. This did not happen, while Lucas Rupp was injured along the way. It’s a key position, which we’ve tried to cover by making various player choices. Right now things are better. Lucas Rupp is back. He’s been training normally for two weeks now, so he’s ready to take his time. The good thing about Manu Garthia is that he no longer has any problems. He has entered into a more intense program of individual training, while in recent days he has been integrated into the team. This helps him more psychologically, so that he can come back at some point, take his time in the games and give us the solutions we need.”

Regarding the upcoming match, against OFI, Manzios focused on the following: “OFI is a very good team. He has a certain style of play in the last one year with the presence of the previous coach. Certainly, now the data will be different, because a new coach took over. I don’t know what can happen in these days to change, but we expect something different from what we have seen so far.”

As for how Aris should approach this game, which is different from the previous two, which were against Panathinaikos and AEK, respectively, and had different demands from the “yellows”, Manzios clarified: “Every game is different, anyway. What is important is to approach each game according to the capabilities you have as a team. Indeed, in the game with OFI our approach will be different compared to the two previous derbies. Be that as it may, however, we only have victory in mind.”

Closing the discussion, it went to the transfer issues, which occupy the thinking of the “yellows” in view of January. Manzios said of these, explaining why it is necessary that any moves be made quickly: “I won’t go into details, but the team needs quality signings. The administration is moving on this plan. We need to do as fast as possible, because January is full of games from the beginning. There are six games in the first 18 days, so it is essential to strengthen our quality as quickly as possible.”