Terzis: “We must increase our level of performance”
Interim Aris boss Apostolos Terzis wants the performance level to increase, while Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins felt relieved to get the win on the road.
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In a match between two teams in need of a win, Aris struck first with Nicolas Diguiny hitting the target at the packed Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. Olympiacos were under pressure, but they ensured they gained three crucial points in Thessaloniki, as Giorgos Masouras and Youssef El Arabi scored two quickfire goals to stun the hosts.
“We managed to have chances when in transition, but we made the wrong choices with the ball,” stated Terzis. “During the second half, we had two great opportunities with Mancini and Diguiny, however we couldn’t score. We must calm down and increase the level of our performance. Why did I substitute Giannis Fetfatzidis? He is a player who depends purely on his psychology. Daniel Larsson? He felt pain in his knee in the training session before the game, so we didn’t take any risks.”
Olympiacos boss Pedro Martins was relieved to get back to winning ways: “Olympiacos always want three points, something which we couldn’t achieve against Red Star,” said the Portuguese manager. “However, we have shown our quality today to win the match. It was a difficult atmosphere, the opponents are strong, but we have the victory. Ruben Semedo and Avraam Papadopoulos were excellent in the centre of defence.”
“Konstantinos Tsimikas and Daniel Podence are both injured,” revealed Martins when asked about the pair. “We have to wait 24 hours until we know the full extent of the injuries. The matches against Panathinaikos and Red Star? We didn’t play intelligently enough to win.”
Aris midfielder Javier Matilla rued the mistakes made in the loss: “We take responsibility for this loss, two mistakes resulted in Olympiacos scoring twice. Yes, Olympiacos are a big team, but they didn’t have many opportunities today. I don’t remember our goalkeeper having to make any saves.”
Giorgos Masouras, who notched the equaliser for the Erythrolefki, noted the importance of the victory: “All teams fighting for the championship want to beat Aris here, and we have managed to do it. Taking into account the way Aris play at home and the quality of their team, this is our most important away victory of the season so far. We must improve further and be more effective. However, while these three points are vital, the season is a marathon rather than a sprint. The absence of Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Kostas Manolas with the national team? They’ll be back when we have more important games.”
Olympiacos midfielder Andreas Bouchalakis also shared his thoughts on the game in Thessaloniki: “We responded well today, we were determined from the start against a strong opponent. We know the potential which our team has. Although we conceded the first goal, we reacted in the correct manner. Our squad has been shaped in order for us to achieve all of our targets.”
