Lucescu not taking game as final, Martins ready for Toumba atmosphere
Ahead of the headline Super League duel between PAOK and Olympiacos in Thessaloniki, Razvan Lucescu doesn’t consider the match to be a final, while Pedro Martins feels his players have progressed since the first game in Piraeus.
Coming into the game, PAOK hold a six-point lead at the top of the Super League standings, however Olympiacos can reduce that to three if they manage to win at the sold-out Toumba Stadium. In the first half of the 2018/2019 campaign, Olympiacos fell to PAOK in Piraeus, as an own-goal from Jagos Vukovic and impressive goalkeeping from Alexandros Paschalakis earned a vital win for the visitors.
When speaking to Nova Sports, PAOK boss Razvan Lucescu revealed that he doesn’t consider the showdown to be a final in the title race:
Feelings before playing Olympiacos: “I feel perfect. It will be a match between two very good teams. Nevertheless, we have a lot of confidence, we’re in a good period and our season has been excellent. We understand the importance of this game, however this is not a final in any case. It’s a match for three points. We’re looking forward to the game both with confidence and calmness.”
For the match not being a final: “Sometimes, those involved in football; the media, the fans and those who love watching the game, like to create an added atmosphere to a match like this, but it isn’t a final. At the end of this game, whatever happens, PAOK will still be leading the standings. It is a match with two very good teams playing against each other. No matter what the result is tomorrow, the league will continue until the end of the season. If we win, we will be nine points ahead of Olympiacos, and of course but we still have to continue thinking about the next match. This is not a final. A final is where a team wins a trophy directly after the game. Yes, for us it would be easier if we win, and it will be tougher for Olympiacos. Still, it’s not a final.”
Possible surprises: “Our philosophy is to enter the pitch and win matches. That is staying the same and we want to win in our style. The opponents have reactions and good organisation, and as a team, we must know how to adapt to the situation like we did at the Karaiskakis Stadium. A similar thing happened at the OAKA. We scored, were dominating the game, however the sending off changed the situation and we had to react in a certain way. A draw there was like a small victory.”
Reaction after the winter transfer window: “It’s all about the quality of the players within our squad. Also, remember that based on the results on the pitch, we are actually eight points ahead in first place, and not six. This is a result of our fantastic work. The team has won 17 out of 19 matches with two draws. The transfer period simply gave us the opportunity to have more options in our squad with championship and Greek Cup matches coming. Our target is also to repeat last season’s success and win the cup again. It’s good that we have a higher level team now. We also had to start the season with a -2 deficit. It wasn’t easy. The players worked harder than a normal team which is first in the table. In the past, PAOK have been punished by certain decisions, and that has continued this year.”
Injury problems: “No, only Jose Canias. Karol Swiderski is fine.”
Factor of aold out Toumba Stadium: “It was easy to sell the stadium out, there are 21,000 season ticket holders. I knew that the arena would be full. I’m looking forward to a fantastic atmosphere.”
Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins paid his tributes to the victims of the 1981 Karaiskakis Stadium tragedy, while sharing his expectations for playing PAOK:
38 years since the tragedy after a match between Olympiacos and AEK: “For us, this is a day of mourning and memory. I extend my condolences to those who lost people of their own families. A day of joy after beating AEK turned into a tragedy. The least we can do is remember them every year.”
Opinion on PAOK: “It’s a group which has been together for a while. With a few exceptions, they’ve kept the same players and the same coach. They have been working well, but we have also made great progress and grown significantly. It will be a tough match, and taking into account how well these teams know each other, there won’t be any surprises. The team which controls the game in terms of emotions and copes with the challenges the best will win. I also want to mention that it’s a great choice of referee. He is a young man with talent, charisma and he will help make the game be a good spectacle.”
Possibility of the atmosphere at the Toumba Stadium affecting the game: “No, our players will not be affected. We have confidence in the referee and we will deal with the different situations on the pitch. We’re committed to our own strategy.”
Message for Razvan Lucescu: “He’s a coaching colleague. Everyone does the best they can for their respective team. In Piraeus, I showed him hospitality, and I hope he will return the favour!”
Fact of this maybe being a title showdown: “This is an important game, but there are many matches ahead, so the title won’t be decided tomorrow. The opposing team currently has an advantage in the table. but all we care about right now is playing our style of game and claiming the three points.”
Elements which are key in such games: “Set pieces are important. Small details will decide the outcome. Few mistakes can be made. It will be a tense game, and of course the fact of playing at home or away plays a factor.”
Progression of Olympiacos after the first meeting in Piraeus: “We have made big progress since then. In relation to the match against PAOK in the first round, we are lot more consistent now, we manage situations on the pitch better and we’re a united group. This is a good period for us.”
Good performances of the new signings against Lamia: “They have adapted quickly since signing for us. They’re not quite 100% match ready, however they’re trying their best to adapt immediately. The atmosphere in the team is excellent. It’s easier for Giorgos Masouras as he speaks the language and knows most of the guys from the Greek national team. This makes my job easier.”
