Below is everything Olympiacos coach José Luis Mendilibar said in the press conference following the match against Real Madrid at the “G. Karaiskakis” Stadium and the 3–4 defeat:
Congratulations on the effort and on the mentality Olympiacos is now showing in these matches. When the draw was made, it was clear the team needed three wins. Based on what we’ve seen so far, do you believe Olympiacos has become tougher and more capable of getting those three straight wins from here on?
We’re thinking too far ahead, and we can’t afford to think that far ahead because there are many matches before then. We will analyse what we liked and what we didn’t, and we’ll prepare for Sunday by evaluating our players’ condition. When the time comes for the match against Kairat, then we’ll focus on that game. First, the players need to recover, and then we can analyse the matches one by one.
What stood out to you from the match? Olympiacos’ strong start, Real Madrid’s seven-minute spell, the character the team showed, or perhaps the Vinícius–Rodinei match-up where something different might have happened?
What we need to highlight is that at no point in the match did we switch off or believe the game was over. When we conceded the equaliser and once the score shifted to 1–3, everyone probably thought we would collapse – but we made a comeback twice and had chances to take a point right until the final minute. The opponent’s quick goals could have broken us, but we didn’t let that happen, and for me that was the most important thing.
We saw two very different halves. In the first, where 1–0 became 1–3, do you feel the team lost its focus, its shape, and made individual mistakes?
I don’t want to comment on the individual actions or mistakes of the players against this team, because in 95% of duels the stronger players will win – and in this case, we were the weaker side. For Rodinei to cope with Vinícius, he needs help from Martins. For Retsos to face Mbappé, he needs help from Pirola and other players. We lacked those supporting movements in this match.
From the start you’ve said the team will be competitive and won’t change its style. You’ve achieved both, but the results aren’t coming the way you want. What is missing for the result to go your way?
They are better than us.
Olympiacos genuinely troubled Real Madrid and made them feel threatened until the end. Was that because Real Madrid felt the pressure?
We played against two excellent attacking players who created huge danger for us. But the rest of the team wasn’t just watching – they forced us to run a lot and spend a lot of energy. They ran us more than any other opponent. It’s not only that they have the best players in the world; they are also a very good team. They’re first in Spain, and I believe that if they continue like this, they will achieve their goals.
At the end of the night, if we look at it realistically, is it simply the case that no matter how much you try, this team is better?
They are much better – not just better. But no, we cannot say it is impossible to beat them. We could have played better as well. We don’t know if they played their best match, but they scored from all their chances. The reality is that no matter how many times you face Real Madrid, they will win most of those matches.
What was your plan to stop Mbappé and Vinícius?
As you saw, we didn’t manage to stop them. We didn’t want to go into direct duels with them because we knew that whoever faced them would lose. Both of them are incredibly fast – but their whole team also made us run, and we weren’t able to provide the support we needed.
PSV came here and got a draw with one chance, yet tonight they put on a show at Liverpool. Does that leave you with regret about the result against them at the ‘G. Karaiskakis’? Or is it something to guide you going forward?
Given what you’re saying, yes – we do feel that an opportunity slipped away based on how that match unfolded, because we were up against a team that always plays in the UEFA Champions League, and it was a real chance for us to get a result. Olympiacos had been away from this competition for many years; it is very different from the UEFA Conference League and the UEFA Europa League, and the level is much higher.
How much did Chiquinho’s substitution affect the match, and do you have any initial update on the injuries?
At first, we were surprised that he had to come off so early, because as you said, they are different types of players. But we knew that both of them, in their own way, would help the team – and they both scored and worked hard. We hope it’s nothing serious. Something similar happened with Chiquinho in Barcelona, and it didn’t turn out to be serious. We hope it’s the same now.”
