Oenning: “Derbies are a separate championship altogether”
Ahead of the Macedonian Derby between Aris and PAOK in the Super League, both Michael Oenning and Abel Ferreira spoke about their pre-game feelings.
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You can bet that the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium will be rocking for this one. All derbies between Aris and PAOK are always emotionally charged affairs, but with the Dikefalos tou Vorra desperate to keep their unbeaten streak alive against their arch-rivals, this game promises to have even more fire than usual. After 16 rounds, PAOK occupy first place of the Super League, while Aris are in seventh position.
Michael Oenning, the manager of Aris, noted the difficulty in preparing for the game after the well-documented referee scandal:
Expectations for the match: “It has been a strange break, because we didn’t know if we would even play a game on Saturday until yesterday. It disrupted our preparation. Nevertheless, we are ready for the match, we want to win and I think that we will play well. Derbies always have a different feeling.”
PAOK’s long unbeaten run: “This isn’t important for us, we are playing at home. It is now 2020, a new page can be written in the history books. Derbies are like a separate championship altogether. Our aim is to emerge victorious tomorrow, we will give everything in order to achieve our goal. Tomorrow, the match is even more important than usual.”
January transfer targets: “We have specific positions which require strengthening.”
His tactics for playing against PAOK: “Sometimes we play with two strikers, while on other occasions, we have three or four forwards on the pitch. We must win the personal duels. PAOK’s approach? I am thinking about our own system. I am sure that our supporters will help us with a great atmosphere inside the stadium.”
In a short interview with PAOK TV, Abel Ferreira shared his expectations for the battle at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium:
Thoughts on playing Aris on the road: “We have to play well, sticking to our identity. We must neutralise their counter-attacking threat. Aris are playing at their home arena, so we can expect them to compete in an aggressive manner. We know that they are a well-organised, defensively solid team. Aris play with good ideas.”
