Lucescu: “At this stage what counts is that we won – It won’t change game by game”

What the Romanian coach said in detail at the usual press conference:

For the fact that PAOK conceded a goal again and essentially scores one more than the opponent to win a match: “Because we like to keep people on their toes, to give people a spectacle, to give them adrenaline. There were definitely times when we had better reactions. We just lost our confidence in the previous match and now we have a fear of not making a mistake. But I will tell you that in the end I am happy for the victory. After the end of the match against Malmö, two days later and preparing for today’s match, I spoke to my players and told them that we had been in a similar situation years ago. We were eliminated by Benfica and in the following matches in the league we had difficulty. Now we won this match that’s why you see me calm and happy. Because we won it and didn’t drop any points and that’s important at this stage. In any case, like it or not, the team is being built with new faces who have to get into the spirit of the team. We need to build the confidence of the team. In the four European matches, we produced good things but there were times when we did not have a continuous flow of actions and lost control. I know we must suffer, work hard and be humble. Last year with the consecutive qualifiers we gained confidence with the victories against Beitar and Hajduk. Now in the team there is an imbalance and we are one above us and one below us”.

For player departures and transfers to be made: “Let’s say we conceded the goals. Let’s break it down. It’s not about defense. It’s how you manage the ball as a team when defending. That’s why I told you that now we are one at the top and one at the bottom. We have good times but bad times. Many times we pay for wrong decisions of the moment. In the first goal of Panserraikos, we had the ball and due to our mistake, the opponent went into transition. With a wrong choice, you get into a difficult position. But I will say it: at the moment this is not my team, that is, with the principles I want it to compete. We conceded three goals from Malmö, which is the epitome of naivety! We could have controlled things differently. How we will manage each situation. Now for departures and transfers? I’m committed to the team I have right now. And to send the right messages to those I have. The team I have, I have to train. Like I did last year when at the beginning of the year it was the last year of my contract. But I will tell you, every player that comes and will come takes time. Even last year Despontov and Meite had come at the last minute. But I repeat I prefer to be committed to the players who are here and how I will build the team. Absolutely ready mentally and trained well. Every player that will come needs time. I’m dealing with them positively like last year when I enjoyed the season”.

About the presence of Chalov and whether he is satisfied: “I will tell you that now at this stage he is like a fish out of water and not in it. Now in the present phase. Under other circumstances he would have to wait at least another month to play in my team. Chalov has different characteristics than Brandon Thomas. He has the quality and experience to balance this situation he is in. Brandon runs for the team, pressures opposing defenders and is sure to be hated. Chalov is a pure striker, he may not have to learn to work for the team. All the players are making an effort to get to the point we all want.”

On whether he thinks the “game by game” strategy should not change: “We know we are last year’s champions. Surely the teams that will play against us will have this extra motivation to beat us. But the question is how we will approach the season and the matches. We must be united, humble and look at each match individually, yes game by game. We are not Barcelona or Manchester City. We have to accept it. But others don’t concern me. Let’s work hard, I will not accept a different view than “game by game”. This is our strength.”