Kyriakopoulos: “I am optimistic about qualifying – we can make the great overthrow”

Panathinaikos tonight at 9pm will face the Rangers In the rematch of the two teams, for the 2nd qualifying round of Champions League.

In the first game the “clover” had lost 2-0, with George Kyriakopoulos To talk to the Matchday Program and to say optimistic about the overthrow.

His statements:



The 2-0 defeat by the Rangers raised the degree of difficulty in qualifying. What needs to change the team in relation to the first game in order to achieve overthrow?



Certainly 2-0 is a difficult result. Rangers has a strong lead. But we believe that with the help of the world, with the instructions of our coach, following our own plan, as we played in the first 60 minutes in Glasgow until Vaya’s elimination comes, and of course if we are more effective, we can overturn. We believe it very much and my teammates, along with all the staff. We can…



And what do you need to keep from the game of immersion?



I think we have to maintain our defensive cohesion, the function we had for most of the game in the imbrox. We threatened little, beyond the two goals we conceded. And that happened while we were in a numerical imbalance, playing with ten and those with eleven. So I think this played a role in accepting some phases towards the end of the game. So I believe that since we maintain our defensive function at the same level, as the discipline we have on the pitch – the elements I see from the preparation that there are in the team – things will go well.



Last summer, Panathinaikos was again with his back to the wall, then against Lance. But he made the big overthrow of a “hot” OAKA. Do you think the rematch is a powerful weapon in front of the group’s audience?



Yes, I remember it. I had watched the games with Lance. It is definitely very important that we will play in front of our world at the OAKA. We are waiting for our fans to make a hot seat to help us. Really, we are waiting for them to help us. I think we can make a great look and achieve the overthrow. I said it before, I personally believe it, like my teammates.



What climate is in the locker room after the first game? Is there faith in the overthrow?



Yes, there is faith in the team. Especially watching our image in the first 60 minutes, I’m full of optimism. As I said, we missed the goal and we have to find it. I find it to be the only thing that is missing right now by the team to make great confrontation.

How should you manage your will to overthrow in combination with the momentum that people will give you off the platforms?



We must be careful at the beginning of the struggle, not to be seduced by the excitement that the world will convey to us. We must not keep in mind that at all costs we have to turn it from the first minute and chase the goal like … crazy. We have to go with our shot and of course having in the back of our minds that we are really back 2-0 and that we have to turn it around. Let’s do it but with a shot and carefully. Because if we look at the first match, we conceded two goals from counterattacks. So we have to pay particular attention to this area because the Rangers are dangerous and has fast players.



Despite the defeat in the first match, Panathinaikos’ image was extremely encouraging, even though it was not accompanied by a positive result. The good face showed by the team for most of the matchmade matching you encourages you and fills you with confidence ahead of the rematch?



Living the game inside and watching the team are in such a state and defensive and aggressively, based on the instructions of the coach and the plan we had, I really felt very confident in the field. I have faith in this team that he can do very nice things this year, starting with this game. It will definitely be difficult but we can do the overthrow.

You are one of the new faces in Panathinaikos. What climate did you find in the team and how was your adjustment?



I feel very beautiful! Being in such an important club like Panathinaikos is very important to me. I thank the president, who wanted me very much, the whole board, the technical director, Mr. Papadimitriou and Mr. Tzavella. Thank you very much for believing in me and brought me to Panathinaikos. I found a very nice climate in the locker room. I was familiar with the Greek players beforehand, so it was really easier to adjust. I also returned to Greece, my homeland. It was a difficult decision for me to go back after so many years, but I’m really very happy to be here, in such an important club. And I don’t see the time and moment to live the atmosphere of our stadium and fans and do nice things with the team.



How do you feel football? Do you feel like you fit into the group profile?



I think I’m really matching the team! Wherever I have played in my career in previous years, I was always looking at if I fit the team. I don’t go to a team just to go. I believed, before I still came here, that my team and plan fit me, and how it plays, and in the position I was fighting. It matched my game with the Panathinaikos plan. I think I fit very much, and I personally like it and enjoy where I am here.



How is the collaboration with Rui Vitoria? What have you stood out when you work under his instructions?



I have a pretty good cooperation with the coach. He asks me to give my best. He is demanding of his backs, he wants to participate in defense and attack. What I have stood out is the discipline that has in general in training. He asks us for specific things. He wants to apply his plan, with the build-up from behind, to be more effective ahead and to have the ball, which I personally like. I have a very good cooperation with the coach.



What is the largest force of the group? What is the asset you have as a whole?



I think these are the partnerships we have in between players. On the sides, both Mennovic with Juricic and I with Juricic or anyone else who has been called on to play left, such as Pelistri, or even the other side with Vagia, we all have very good cooperation. I think we have an advantage on the sides. In general, I think that the partnerships we have between us and the quality of players are the team’s asset.



You are optimistic about qualifying. Do you believe it?



I’m really very optimistic. I believe it can be done. It is certainly difficult because we are playing with a more experienced team that has been involved in European competitions in recent years. But I really believe it by watching the image of the first race. It is not a fear for us. We have to go with our plan, not to be seduced and make our game. It takes a lot of patience. Even with a goal in the second half, the game can fire and give us a push to chase a second goal …