Olympiacos will face Maccabi Haifa on Wednesday (27/7, 20:00, Cosmote TV, official TV partner of Olympiacos FC) in the context of the Champions League second qualifying round.
Ahead of the side’s rematch in “Georgios Karaiskakis”, coach Pedro Martins and team player Yann M’Vila spoke at the press conference.
The press conference of Pedro Martins in detail:
What is your plan to solve the side’s difficulties as shown in Israel?
“in my view, what didn’t go well in our first leg against Maccabi was the lack of pressure Olympiacos normally apply on our opponents. We were way below we were way below par our normal levels with respect to pressure and this is something that must be remedies tomorrow no matter what. Our gameplay was also poorly structured, we lacked ball possession; tomorrow, we have to keep the ball much more time, increase our levels or pressure and, should these things take place, then we will be more creative. What didn’t go well in the first match was that Olympiacos failed to put on pressure and played deep compared to what we normally do.”.
Who is the toughest opponent for Olympiacos? Is it the opponent or the side’s bad self?
“Truth be told, many things didn’t work out in the first leg, our performance was poor and that was partly due to the opponent’s performance and capabilities, and poor weather conditions we had to encounter there. For instance, humidity was too high compared to what our players are accustomed to in Greece, where levels are up to 20-25%; there, it was at least two times higher.
Moreover, the fact that we got to the stadium with a 15-20 min. delay as a result of poor transport arrangements led to our warming-up being carried out improperly and several players, like Philip Zinckernagel, having issues during the break. All in all, that situation disorganized our team.
It was our first official match for Champions League; this is the second and as time goes by, we prepare ourselves even better. Tomorrow, things will be completely different, the match circumstances will be completely different. The weather will be much better and our players in a better shape. We will apply an alternative approach to the match since we will have our fans supporting us.
We have to correct our mistakes and exploit the opponent’s weaknesses in the game. We have to put on high pressure and avail ourselves of the match circumstances.
On any changes in terms of the players to be capped and any last-minute problem:
“All players are fit and ready to play. Vrsaljko had some issues with 30 minutes in the clock but then he got at a much better state. Zinckernagel, who also had some problems, started practicing with the entire team as of yesterday. All players are fine, with the exception of Koutris, Hasan and Garry who currently have some issues, which we already knew since the first leg. Androutsos is in a better shape. Of course, I cannot disclose the starting lineup, or our strategy and the formation we will choose”.
His opinion on Israeli Doron Leidner:
“I cannot comment on a player who does not belong to Olympiacos; I talk only about players in Olympiacos roster”.
Yann M’Vila: We have to use our home advantage
What will the deciding factor of tomorrow’s tie?
“I think that the first thing we should do is to be resolved on winning the match. Also, we must be united and compact as a team, and I am not talking only about the players or the technical staff. I am talking about an entire city, all the people at the stands and, in general, all those who love Olympiacos. Each must do one’s part as strongly as possible to help the team put on its best display”.
For the rematch, do you controlling the match’s pace shall be the key?
“This is a question you’d better address to the coach. What I can surely say is that we were below our levels with respect to what we normally produce in matches and, tomorrow, I believe we will be completely different in terms of our resolve on the pitch. All in all, we have to exploit the drive our fans give us and the atmosphere they create”.
His opinion on Hwang In-beom:
“I have nothing to say about things no related to our fixture tomorrow. I am totally focused on that and I don’t care about anything that happens until the match is over; besides, I am not the one to provide such information. Therefore, I cannot comment on anything not related with tomorrow’s match”.
