PAOK remained alive in the hunt for the title as with an impressive performance they managed to beat Olympiakos 2-0 in Toumba in a postponed match for the 5th matchday of the playoffs.
During the press conference, Razvan Lucescuspoke about the combativeness shown by his team in this particular match, underlined that PAOK will give its soul in the matches with Panathinaikos and Lamia in order to be the one who will conquer the championship, while he avoided referring to the regular part that brought the important “three point”.
Among other things, the Romanian technician stood in the large number of matches that the “two-headed man of the north” has given this year, noting that his team started from… minus and is now claiming the title.
What Razvan Lucescu said in detail at the press conference:
“After the match with Lamia I told you that we were in a difficult period with the virus that had hit us, it made us lose strength. We had a busy schedule. Step by step we have improved and we came back, we got a fantastic reaction with AEK. The victory against AEK has given us extra motivation and today the players were disciplined, they all showed fighting spirit, even those on the bench. A team worked like ours is logical to react, even after a difficult period. It is true that Olympiacos had a lack of energy, not so much for Thursday’s match, not because of the huge qualification they achieved in the final of the Conferences League. There are factors that determine the outcome of a match and we should always be ready to respond.”
Because PAOK ends the season as it started with victories in must-win matches: “It’s very strange to talk about the title now. Before July 28, no one gave us hope for the title and no one to advance to Europe. It is normal that what we did gave us psychology in Europe. All these games we gave in Europe gave us this knowledge in battle. I don’t have much to think about the future, only about Wednesday’s match. We must have the same image and this is our logic. Game by game. We are enjoying the moment and we are only dedicated to the next match”.
On whether Panathinaikos will be more prepared than Olympiakos in a similar final for the championship: “I have to criticize you, thanks for the comments though. Every group is fighting for something. To get the title, to play in Europe next year, for 2nd place, for 3rd place, for 4th place. Nothing is over for any team. We have to prepare to give everything on the pitch against Panathinaikos. We want to fight. We have secured the 3rd place, which is a great achievement for our team”.
On whether it goes to a new approach with more careful shape and emphasis on transitions: “We beat Olympiakos 2-0, so it doesn’t matter how it happened. There are important games ahead of us. It’s not important to analyze how we played and what we did.”
On the fact that he is grounded and that he is not related to… the old Lucescu after two big wins in two derby series: “I think this balance keeps the concentration for the next match. We have to go with the same image with Panathinaikos. The most important thing is on Wednesday to remain balanced, focused and to give what we have as today. I don’t know why you ask me, but I’ve always been balanced. Things change so fast over here, one day you’re the best in the world and the next day you’re the worst. I have this balance as a person in general. Maybe I’m tired, but I’m absolutely satisfied with the performance and the win. We have another match in two days and we have to give our heart and soul to win. It will be a shame in this fantastic season that we are having, if our effort goes astray.
We started not just from zero, but from… minus and reached the 56th game of claiming the title. We are in this situation and personally I am only concerned about the match against Panathinaikos. We reached the quarter-finals of a European competition once again, we played very well. I am completely satisfied with what we have achieved this year, completely satisfied with the victories against AEK and Olympiakos, but we must concentrate on Wednesday’s match”.
For the answer after the match with Lamia that they are a team of fighters and what he said to the players in the locker room: “We will talk after the end of the championship…”
Source: Sport Fm
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