fter the end of the Toumba match against PAOK, coach Michel of Olympiacos held the Press Conference in Thessaloniki.
In detail, quotes by the Spanish coach on the side’s encounter for Stoiximan Super League MD21:
Are you satisfied with the result in this match with Paschalakis standing out once more?
We performed well in the first half, PAOK set out quite strong but then we had it under control and created some chances as did PAOK. We were better in the first than in the second half. Paschalakis is a player who always helps us and, reasonably enough, in a match of such intensity, one needs a goalkeeper who may rise to the occasion. Paschalakis helped us a lot, particularly in the last 15 minutes of the match when we suffered their pressure. However, from the moment we had to replace James because of his discomfort, we failed to keep proper control, yet we are happy with how all our lines perfumed.
Have you ever thought of not using Paschalakis since he was to play against his former club? A comment on the match referee.
We never thought of that; we have decided a long time ago that Paschalakis is our regular goalkeeper in the championship and that’s what we also did today. In general, I do not make comments on the referees unless I have something good to say about.
We might have expected both teas to take more risks in the closing minutes. PAOK did so, Olympiacos did not. do you believe should have done something more?
We are truly sad if someone did not like how we perfumed. In all matches, we play to win; in Karaiskakis, we played better and fought to win but ended up losing the match. We always play to win, but not everything goes according to plan in all matches because it’s the opponent who always plays. In the last 10-15 minutes, PAOK put more pressure on us and had more energy. This does not mean that, in the rest of the match, Olympiacos did not try to earn something more from it. Given how the match developed, I think this result is fair.
Are you concerned by the fact that Olympiacos failed to win another one of the championships derbies, against a side so close to you in the standings?
When one plays, there is always an opponent who plays as well. We always go to win and strive for the best. There are many MDs still to go and we will experience better results than tonight; of course, we came here to win and claim more points. We are satisfied by the fact we stand close to the top positions and we will surely fight for something more along the line. As a coach, I do know that I always have the drive to win and that’s how I plan matches. Let me remind you how se wet out his year, with a huge disadvantage on the table, we cut it down, and we are one out of the four contenders fighting for the title. We always plan our matches to win, so it doesn’t have to do with being satisfied by a single game; it’s all about always trying for the best.
Was James substituted because there was some injury?
Yes, in the first half we reported some discomfort on the biceps and we’d rather protect him, since he is a valuable player for us, and de didn’t want to risk losing him later in the competition.
