Kotarski: “We couldn’t have played worse, but I believe in qualification”

Statements to the Croatian Media after the defeat of PAOK by Dinamo Zagreb in the first game of the two teams for the “16” phase of the Conference League, made by Dominic Kotarski!

The 24-year-old goalkeeper stood by the very poor competitive image presented by him and his teammates, expressing, however, that he believes in qualifying, with an upset in Toumba!

What the PAOK goalkeeper said in detail:



For PAOK’s appearance against Dinamo: “I would say we played a very bad game. Dynamo were good on the pitch but they didn’t play anything special, we gave them everything ourselves so I don’t have anything smart to say. We couldn’t have played any worse than that. Next week we play at home, so we have to play much better to qualify”.

On how he saw Dinamo: “Like I said, they didn’t play anything special. They waited for our mistake, they got into the area well and we got psychological from the first goal. I really can’t find the words, we really played very badly. I believe in a turnaround in the second leg and I hope so because I know what we are capable of doing on the pitch. I believe that we will play much better in Toumba, I believe in qualification, it is an active result”.

On what he said after the match with his Hope national teammates Perkovic, Vidovic and Zivkovic: “I saw them, greeted them and congratulated them. I told them we’ll see each other in the rematch next week.”.

For PAOK’s chances of qualifying now after 2-0: “I said before the match that I don’t see an immediate favourite. I’m disappointed after this result, we expected a much better result and wanted to win, but the ball is round, that’s football. Everything is in our hands to qualify for the second leg”.

On how difficult it was to play in Maksimir in front of the Dynamo crowd: “It was ok… I can’t say it was very emotional for me. I’m a professional, when the match starts, everything is normal”.