Vitoria: “At the beginning of the playoffs we were underestimated – I know what to do for the next step”

Overturn a 2nd position for the Panathinaicwho celebrated his first double for 2025 and at the same time his first victory at Opap Arena, dominating AEK 2-1.

After the clash, the Rui Vitoria He spoke at the press conference and stressed that the minimum goal of 2nd place was achieved even though his team was underestimated before the playoffs, while pointing out that he knows what he needed Panathinaikos to reach the top, talking about changes Throughout the structure of the football division.

In detail what he said at the press conference:

As to whether he is satisfied with 2nd place and if there was the possibility of something better: “I think Panathinaikos did good playoffs with some good wins and some unsuccessful results and the 2nd place based on the conditions created was the best we could achieve. I think, especially at the beginning of the play-offs, Panathinaikos was underestimated, as if he couldn’t do it, but our reaction was very good. Certainly Panathinaikos is to chase the championship, but based on the conditions it was the best we could do. When we came to Panathinaikos it was low in the spiritual part.

We corrected several things and improved the image and results. The team in the Conference League managed to move on to the next phase and was excluded from a very strong team of Fiorentina in the details. In the cup again in the details we lost the qualification to Olympiacos. In the playoffs we aimed to get as close to the first place against good teams and we managed the minimum, 2nd. Many congratulations to the players for their efforts to difficult conditions. I know what to do for the next step. Panathinaikos has to hunt for the championship, I have the ideas on how we can do it, but under the conditions I think we are satisfied with 2nd place. “

Whether he thinks Panathinaikos will need total reconstruction next season or some touches: “We urges a little bit. We are currently holding the goal of 2nd place. In general, it has become a step forward. We have to build on it. I will discuss these issues internally with the administration. We are not necessarily talking about additions to strengthen the roster. The whole structure of the team should be improved, there is a better connection for the team to go where we want. I will discuss them with the administration and in the future we can say more. “

Whether he wants to continue to Panathinaikos and the fact that the team did not last some time and what needs to change: “I love the club and the players. I like this experience here. They are things that should be discussed internally to improve the team to take the next step and change level. With my experience I can say that in order to build champion mentality it is not only the players you will bring to solve the issues, but it is a combination of things with a lot of work that needs to be done at the perfect level. We saw in the playoffs four very good teams that the only team that has not been titled in recent years is ours, but it was very well. Our team, although not a champion mentality, reacted very well and got good results. We have to build on it. I have things to discuss with the administration and this will happen in the coming days. “