An interview with the “Metropolis” radio station was given by Nikos Mahlastalking about the resumption of the Stoiximan Super League and the title contenders!
After mentioning that Olympiacos does not “fill the eye”, he spoke in the best words about PAOK and Loucheskou, while also commenting on the change of coach at Panathinaikos.
In detail what he said:
For Olympiakos: “For me, the shock was not that strong, Lamia is a good team, things have changed. Olympiacos seems to be missing something, it reminds me of last year’s PAOK, one of height and one of depth. Without having a standard confidence and performance that fills your eye. To say that they are a very good team.
More players must come than the ones he will chase. Something has to change, a bang. This is not the picture. The president thought well, but the image of the team needs to change. The quality of Olympiakos is not that, we are all used to bringing quality players and having a different image”.
On whether PAOK’s first place in the league standings is fair: “PAOK is rightfully first, they are an excellent team. The stress is gone, I was saying it before the good results came. The choices, the balance and the chemistry were right. And let’s not forget that he has a very good coach, who manages all these players very well. After many years I see a Lucescu who is more confident than ever and has achieved what he wants. It is fair that PAOK is in first place and is heading for the championship. The good thing is that he has taken the stress out of himself, he is confident. For the first time I see PAOK being amazing both in the league and in Europe. For me, I have many years to see it”.
On whether this year’s PAOK is better than the team that won the double in the 2018-29 season: “When you get a championship you are the champion, the best. So don’t rush, I see it now. I also see the continuation that it will be similar, but you can’t alter the other team. When and if this year’s team manages to win the championship as well, then I will tell you that yes, this is the best team.
The team has players who can replace Zivkovic. Every player who comes in wants to have their role. With OFI, without doing much he won as if the engines were off, the team exudes confidence and self-confidence. It’s a coach’s and management’s job. But even the coach can’t do much if he doesn’t have the material. He manages all the players amazingly, that’s where Lucescu’s quality and personality can be seen. We are talking about a coach who is one of the best in Europe”.
On whether PAOK can find the balance between the Greek league and the European obligations: “Now the facts are changing, the pressure is starting to grow. Stress increases. And he will find better teams on the road. The Greek teams are not used to this, that is, to win and everything is fine. It is not easy for them to carry this burden. But PAOK took very quick steps. We should not put extra pressure on him, because he has achieved what he wanted. Now he has to continue like this, to star in both events”.
For the ups and downs of the rest of the Big4 teams: “There is no stability. Panathinaikos, which is also a pioneer, is a very good team in terms of balance, but it is not the team that you believe until the end, that it will star in all areas until the end. It doesn’t give you anything extra.
There the president also thought about Jovanovic’s change, which I didn’t like. On the other hand, I understand that they believe that a change can bring something better. To atone and do everything to get a championship. Panathinaikos is thirsty for a championship! This gives him an extra motivation and will give him a boost to stay focused. But I believe more that AEK will rise even though Panathinaikos will be kept so high”.
On whether the teams from which he has moved abroad follow the tactic of constantly changing coaches: “There is no way that any team would have changed the coach, unless there was a special president. There was one in Napoli or Abramovich, but in history there were not many. I don’t remember many clubs having their team in front and changing managers. Something really gross must have happened.
However, I think that this action – of changing Jovanovic – will be correct, because he can find something more, players who can drastically change the quality and give something to Panathinaikos. They are a great team and I would love for them to win the championship at some point, so that the stress goes away and we see them play better in Greek football every year”.
On whether the presence of Olympiakos and PAOK in Europe can affect the performances of the two teams in the domestic league: “I can’t listen to this “burdened schedule” and have them treat it like candy, although Olympiacos and PAOK do not mention this. It is a pleasure to play in Europe and they are alert. When I was playing I was alert, I expected how and how to play on Wednesday and Sunday. They are professionals, I don’t think they have a problem with fatigue. I think it’s the quality and management of the roster that counts”.
On how OFI will manage to star again in the championship: “It is the team that is and will always be in my heart. I think that everything will be judged on the balance of the team, because for the first time after many years, good quality players came. The previous coach had built the team in 3-5-2 and it didn’t work out, he didn’t have a back-up. The team is for a high level, to go to Europe and claim something more, with these players it has got.
I believe the new coach and recently in his statements he said something very wise, that OFI has no changes. The previous one had sidelined quality footballers. Now we see that within two weeks he found OFI’s problems. It just takes patience.
OFI against PAOK until 36-37 had no problem, but in defense everything was vulnerable. These should not be done in a team that is serious and needs to reach very high. I hope he succeeds and has the will to do it”.
On whether he would renew the current coach of OFI for a longer period of time: “It was not OFI’s choice that her contract be for 6 months, the coach chose it to see her prevail in the team and see if she can change things. I don’t know exactly what he wants to do. As a person who is close to the team and sees them, I think that such a coach with the experience he has will be able to give a lot to OFI”.
For the National Team: “You never know what state he’s going to be in in March. In terms of quality, we are definitely better and we have the first reason to qualify. I hope that with the quality and cooperation of all we will succeed. It is a moment not to be missed. I have a lot of faith in this team because they have a good team and now they are like a family. I see only positives”.
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.
