Takianos: “We dominated for 35 minutes, we should have been more aggressive against Toliopoulos”

Aris prevailed with an epic upset of PAOK in the second quarter-final of the Final-8 of the Greek Cup, with the coach of “Dikephalos”, Foti Takianoto express his disappointment at the final outcome of the “Two Aoraki” match.

After pointing out that his side dominated for 35 minutes, he reflected on how much Margaritis’ suspension and McNeese’s injury had affected, while stressing that his players’ defense of Toliopoulos should have been more aggressive.

What the PAOK coach said in detail:



“We made a huge effort, we objectively dominated for 35 minutes. The expulsion of Margaritis played a role in bringing about the overthrow. We missed him a lot both offensively and defensively. We also had McNeish’s injury and you understand that in the end – while we were prepared – we couldn’t stop Toliopoulos. We had to be more aggressive in the execution of Toliopoulos, who got into a certain rhythm and decided the game. In the last two attacks, we should see that there are two contacts.

I can’t tell you why Williams didn’t shoot or why Fredrickson took two hanging shots. The defense against Toliopoulos was done as it should be, so he wouldn’t be unmarked at the three-pointer, we changed on him with a taller player, but the change was not aggressive, it was passive and we gave him the measure he needs to find the shot”.

PAOK’s power forward made statements after the end of the quarter-final, Michalis Tsairelisstating:

“Unfortunately we lost the game even though we controlled it for a long time. We were up by double digits for almost 35 minutes, but in the end our defense on Toliopoulos was bad, he made some big threes and we lost. Now we look at the championship. We want to get into the top six, we will have time to work to achieve it”.

For his expulsion: “I thought I was fouled, I reacted a little too much, he received a technical penalty and because I had an unsportsmanlike conduct earlier I was sent off”.