In details, words by the coach of Olympiacos at Cosmote TV:
On the win: “Indeed, this was the harder’s match so far. We expected to win but we did not know how nig this would be and how it would be achieved. Things seem easier than they are. The encounter weas difficult. Pereira coaches a very well-trained squad. Had Fener converted their chances, the score would have been much different. Had we failed to score, the match would have been different. Fener put pressure on all our lines. We think however this has been a fair win for us and a beautiful evening for the club”
On his line-up selections: “We decided to feature this line-up after meticulously studying our opponent. Fener had many attack-minded players on the pitch and they were set to put pressure on us. We wanted to have Ba in to contain them and put up with their pressing strikers, especially in such a hot atmosphere. We have done our homework on our opponent and we knew we needed a player with Ba’s qualities at that space. Using him there might strike some as odd, given that we do have other right backs in the squad. However, this had to do with our opponent’s characteristics”.
On Masouras and Tiquinho and the “sweet pain” of picking the ones to be capped: “It is quite pleasant for a coach to suffer such “pains”. It is not just these 2 players; there is also Mathieu, El Arabi. All players will get their chances and be used. I am happy with the roster we got and we believe that the team shall improve ever more. Tiquinho is now at a better shape, but I am happy with the overall improvement of the team”.
