Ferreira: “This is just the first step”
Following the 3-1 triumph over Besiktas in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, PAOK manager Abel Ferreira expressed his happiness with the performance, while Sergen Yalcin pointed to the visitors’ poor start.
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It was a memorable evening for PAOK in Thessaloniki. Having come flying out of the blocks, the Dikefalos tou Vorra quickly put the match out of Besiktas’ sight, with exciting teenage prospect Christos Tzolis scoring twice and Dimitris Pelkas adding a third. Before a frantic first half had reached its conclusion, Cyle Larin reduced the deficit for Besiktas and Chuba Akpom saw his penalty saved, but PAOK subsequently saw the game out in the second stanza to secure progression. PAOK are aiming to qualify for the group phase of the Champions League for the first time in history.
“We’re really satisfied with our performance today,” stated Abel Ferreira after the final whistle blew at the Toumba Stadium. “We had worked very hard to be ready for this match. This victory is for everyone involved with PAOK, not just the players on the field. We are striving to achieve the best possible results. However, this is only the first step in our mission, we have a clear target which we are chasing. Regardless of who we play in the next phase, we must win. This group has a strong spirit.”
On the other hand, Besiktas boss Sergen Yalcin admitted that the visitors didn’t play well, while also blaming the referee for making mistakes: “The players’ psychological state deteriorated after conceding three goals in 30 minutes,” began the 47-year-old. “We needed to play smarter. Nevertheless, if we could have scored the second goal, there would have been a chance to turn the game around. The referee made many mistakes throughout the match, maybe one of PAOK’s goals was offside.”
“Eight or nine players have left Besiktas this summer, while we couldn’t make the transfers congratulate PAOK with their victory, they played as I expected, on the counter. The three which we wanted,” continued Yalcin. “This was not a good performance from us. I quick goals which we conceded had a big effect on us.”
PAOK midfielder Dimitris Pelkas, who scored the third goal for the Greeks, thought that the hosts wanted the victory more than Besiktas: “We seemed to want it more today, we competed with a lot of passion. Both teams had a lot of pressure. This year I am the chief penalty taker, but Chuba Akpom asked me to allow him to try. Yes, he didn’t score, but that’s not important. The main thing is that we won. Now we have to look ahead to the next round of the tournament, it will be another final for us.”
“We played a really good game today,” added left-back Dimitris Giannoulis. “Tzolis? He doesn’t have much experience yet, but he plays with maturity. Christos is humble. He deserves the credit for taking us through, he’s playing very well at the moment. Our goal is to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League.”
