Tomas: “The Europa League is a big challenge for PAOK – If we are at 110% we will qualify”

Yes, but from a side Brandon Thomaswho was the one who represented his footballers PAOK at the usual press conference ahead of the first match against Shamrock Rovers for his playoffs Europa League.

With the Spanish center forward talking about disappointmentas to the exclusion of the “bi-head of the North” from the Champions Leaguebut also for challenge regarding his team’s participation in League Phase of the organization where it continues!

What Thomas said in detail:

Regarding the team’s psychological situation ahead of tomorrow’s match: “The team is fine. Everyone wanted us to continue in the Champions League. Everyone in the city lived to see PAOK in the Champions League, but this is football, it’s only natural that there is some disappointment. But the Europa League is a big challenge. We are at the beginning of the season and our goal is to be in the next phase of a very important competition”.

On how important he feels to be in the team, after what Razvan Lucescu said about how to develop: “We have the same players, we made mistakes at the start of the season, there are new players, it will take time for them to adapt and cope. We are a work in progress in terms of team building, but I have faith in the group and believe we will continue to develop as a team.”

On whether he has an opinion on Shamrock Rovers: “I want to be honest, I have only seen what the coach showed us in his analysis. They are a British team, with direct play and the fact that they are in the Europa League playoffs says something. But if we are at 110% of our concentration and performance, we will qualify.”

For the competition that exists with Chalov and Tisundali in the forward position: “It is positive to have many good footballers in the team. I don’t see it as competitive. Any quality player is welcome so there is no complacency and the coach has weapons. The new players are quality, good guys and will help the group. I’m a player who likes to run, to press, that’s what most people see, but apart from those and the goals I also have the assists, so I also do other things for the team.”

For the transfer of Koulierakis: “I want to wish Konstantinos to be healthy and succeed where he is going with his transfer. He is an amazing footballer, we coexisted together during the two years in the team, we built a great relationship. We helped each other. I am sad that we are losing a key player, especially last year in the league, but I am happy for the step he is taking in his career. But that’s football. It’s a very good transfer for the team as well.”