Head coach, Ernesto Valverde, goalkeeper Roy Carroll and midfielder Yiannis Fetfatzidis attended the Press Conference held by Olympiacos F.C. earlier today, at the club’s training centre in Rendis, regarding the team’s trip to Australia for the friendly game against Melbourne Victory that will take place on May 19 at 20:30.
Here is what they said:
Ernesto Valverde
“This trip is a great chance for us to see a place we have never visited before and a place so far away that it’s always difficult to travel to. We are happy to be going there because we know we will give the supporters of our team who live in Australia the chance to watch their beloved team from up-close. We know that the Greek community there is very significant. There are many Greeks who have never been given the chance to watch Olympiacos play and as we will have played all our official games by that time, we will have enough time to travel there; we are proud to be doing that and to be offering our fans the opportunity to attend this game.”
Can the team gain anything from this game sports-wise? “The truth is that we have many international players who must keep fit. They should keep training until their official games begin and this match sure helps, like in the case of Olof Mellberg. The most important thing though is that we will be going there for the Greek community in Australia. Olympiacos is very sensible especially when it comes to such a public.”
Last year in Cyprus, you also brought along with you some loaners. Are you thinking about doing the same thing again now? “The players who will travel to Australia are the players of Olympiacos. Bringing along other footballers in terms of training is of course a possibility but the players that we have in mind at the moment are those registered with the club.”
How difficult is it to find a motive for your players to play well? “Well, first we should actually get there, then see what time it is, cope with the jet lag and then think about playing well.”
Roy Carroll
“Hello everyone. I am here to speak about the friendly game in Melbourne, Australia. It is something we are all looking forward to. It is a good time to go out and end the season and perform for all these great fans in Melbourne. I really look forward to it. It’s been a long season and it’s a trip we should take, go and play well, perform for all of our supporters in Australia and hopefully we can get a good result and come home with the win.”
Did you ever visit Australia while playing for Manchester United? “No, this is the very first time for me and I am really looking forward to it.”
Is there a motive for you to play well in this game? “We always want to play well every time we go out. There’s a big difference as it is the end of the season but we know that these supporters haven’t seen us play for a long time so we want to go out there and play well for them; play well because they are going to come and watch us play and it is essential for us professionals football players to perform well in every game we play.”
Yiannis Fetfatzidis
“Speaking on behalf of the players of OLYMPIACOS FC, we are happy to be able to travel to Australia and spread joy to the Greek community there. We will both give and get joy during our stay in Melbourne. We will try our best to please the fans that will come watch us at the stadium.”
In conclusion of the Press Conference, Target Sport C.E.O., Christos Gatsis stated: “The players and the coaching staff are the actual stars in this. We are pleased to be able to make the Greek community happy. There are 600.000 Greeks in Melbourne and over 1 million in the entire continent. We will travel there to give and get joy, because we will come across people that find seeing OLYMPIACOS FC as something very touching. We must not underestimate such an activity. There is also a social aspect to this visit to Australia. Judging by the daily contact I have with people there, everyone is looking forward to welcoming OLYMPIACOS FC. It is our honour to be a part of this effort.”
