Terim: “Panathinaikos is still not at the level I want – We must all be together and every player ready”

The best is yet to come for Panathinaikos, since, according to Fatih Terim, the “clover” has not yet presented the image that the Turkish coach wants and he is sure that he will show it in the future!

At the same time, speaking after the comfortable victory of Panathinaikos in Serres over the local Panserraikos with 3-0, Terim pointed out that every player must be ready for battle but also put forward the common good, regardless of whether they compete or not, contributing to the existing family atmosphere…

In detail what he said at the press conference:

On whether the victory with extended rotation doubles the benefit, because there is also a Cup match coming up and if he thinks he took a risk: “I want every footballer to be ready. Having players compete against each other is a positive thing. We had a problem with injuries, we got over it. Every player must be ready to play for Panathinaikos. There is always a risk in life and we take that risk as a team.”

For the physical condition of the players and whether he is working on it: “1.5 months have passed since I said we would change some things. Of course we are working on what you said. Now everyone knows what to do, how to react and how to play. In training we work on this philosophy. As I tell them: when you know how to play well with and without the ball and you have the mentality, then you will become better. We will continue to work on it more.”

On whether the improvement in the last month came faster than he expected: “We still haven’t reached the level we want. It’s nice to win games and have good games. But also in the end to gain from all this. We always try to play better. We had a lot of chances today. We have to finish the phases better, but I’m happy with the battle we’re giving on the pitch. It is not the easiest to play in such fields. After a derby from a good result it’s dangerous to bring a bad result, so I’m glad we won. We try to give opportunities, we also had injured people”.

For Bernard: “He is not the easiest to give 100% but he is a professional. I have a lot of respect for players who play like that. And it’s a nice example. We also wanted him to be with us until the end of the season. The fans should respect them and be happy for them. The important thing is how they play.”



For Aitor: “We have 25-26-27 players, but we can put 20 in the squad. Two more of them will come out and we will put two more young people in the Cup. Some will get in, some will stay out. We must all stick together and move as a whole. Aitor can play tomorrow or the day after.”

For Panserraikos and Pablo Garcia: “I was very happy and before the game he came and we talked. He has built a fighting team that runs and pushes. He brings out the character he has in his team. He’s a good coach and he’ll get better.”