Despodov: “No one in the team had doubts about the ultimate success”

In the middle of Bulgaria he spoke Kirill Despodov and referred to PAOK’s epic upset and qualification to the Conference League, while afterwards… he revealed the recipe for the North’s Doubleheader when their backs are against the wall.

THE Despodov then he commented on the next obstacle of Club Bridge, while also talking about the hot atmosphere of Toumba.

In detail what he said:

On whether he expected a wide victory over Dinamo Zagreb and a historic qualification upset: “The truth is that we achieved an incredible victory against a strong opponent. Things are going well so far. We believed so. No one in the team had any doubts about the ultimate success. It’s good that we scored five goals, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that we could have scored more…”



On PAOK’s competitive transformation from the first game in Zagreb to the second leg in Tuba: “There wasn’t much of a difference. And in the first match we had more chances. We were the ones creating. Dynamo didn’t do anything creative. In the second game, we showed tremendous passion from the start, deservedly won and are in the quarter-finals. We showed a championship mentality. This suits a team that wants to win the championship as well. We had to react after the loss in Zagreb and the failures in the league and we did it in the best way.”



What is the recipe for success when PAOK’s back is against the wall? “In football there are always ups and downs and we see that in every team. Until recently we competed in three competitions, unfortunately we were excluded from the Greek Cup. It’s normal, we play a match every three days. But from the negative results we draw the positives to turn the situation around.”

For the “hot” Tumba: “PAOK has fantastic fans. They are very close to the team, they feel the game and understand when we give everything on the pitch. I believe that everything they want to see from us, I saw in the match against Dinamo Zagreb. When Toumba is… a boiling cauldron, it’s easier for us. We were all one, players and fans. Now more emotions await us.”

For his own assist contribution? “This is my job. I am happy to help the team. The coach decides when and how much I will play.”



For Club Brugge: “All the teams that reached the quarter-finals are strong, whoever we met, we would see good games.”



On the fact that he has not recently played in a European competition final: “I wish it, God willing.”