Alonso: “I can’t ask for patience from anyone, but personally, I have to have it – Still far from what we want”

Diego Alonso spoke at the press conference after the match between Panathinaikos and Panseraikos (3-1) for the improvement of his team from match to match, although, as he underlined, the “greens” have not yet reached the level he wants.

What he said in detail at the press conference:

I would like you to explain to us the difference in the image of the team in the first half compared to the second. What did you change, what did you tell the players, what was the difference? Mainly in the defensive part, where the team was not attacked like in the first. And a second one, how important is it at this stage for the team to win even if it is struggling?

“First game by game the team is improving. Against PAOK we “gave” a good team. I think we repeated it today. It is clear that we played better in the second half than in the first and essentially the movements were two and very clear. The first was to we are closer during the attackbecause that way we could recover the ball more easily and during the first half this was not clear. This created the possibility for us to get the ball faster and to be close to the opponent’s goal. The second is that we were much more aggressive in our attacks. During the first half we had many phases where we were close to the opponent’s goal, but we lacked aggression and vertical balls. That’s what we improved on in the second half. We had the same control but were more aggressive in attack and more efficient in defence. I think we started the first half well, but when we conceded the goal things got more confusing. But, with time the team regained control and especially in the second half they started to do what they had to do.

For the second question, winning is not the most important thing. It’s the only thing you have to do! There is only one thing more important than winning. Prepare for your victory. When one prepares, one knows why one wins. We already know what our path is».

We realize in some games with theoretically inferior opponents that many times the team brings out stress in their game. Does this apply? In general, was there pressure for the result during the week you worked?

“We worked very calmly. This was the second week we could work in preparation for a league match, having 5 days of practice. We worked with a lot of seriousness and trust. We have to keep giving the players confidence and self-belief to keep working as a team».

Based on your “wants”, at what level of readiness is Panathinaikos now and when do you think it will be higher, to build what you want in the team?

“Very good question. I think we are still far from what we can achieve. We can be an even better team. When? When we will have more time to work with the whole team. This was the first week we were able to work with the whole team. Most of you were during the preparation. The team that played today, had nothing to do with the one that was during the preparation. I can’t ask for patience from anyone. I personally, however, must have it! And I have to work so that the team improves every day».

In the second half in Tuba, we saw Mladenovic in the build-up playing inside, as a second defensive midfielder. Today we saw him as a left stopper in the trio. Should we expect something different every time? Do you have 2-3 things in mind?

“Exactly! We work to be able to be better every time. So, this particular one is a versatile player, so sometimes we need him in the center, sometimes at the back, sometimes forward. The same goes for Arao. Sometimes we need him in the center and sometimes in the back. And Bakaseta sometimes we want him up high and sometimes further back. Tete, sometimes we want him more inside, sometimes more outside. As time goes by, we will be better because we will be able to identify exactly where each player can play».