Olympiacos host Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Wednesday (18/02, 22:00) in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs. In press conference duties ahead of the match at the “G. Karaiskakis” Stadium were head coach José Luis Mendilibar and defender Costinha.
Below follow quotes of the experienced coach during the press conference:
Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last six matches, with their most recent defeat coming here at Karaiskakis. Do you believe you have the ‘key’ to beat them again?
The key lies with the players. They are the ones who step onto the pitch and can win, just as they did last time. I expect a different match. Even when the same teams and players face each other, games are never identical. We want to show the same intensity and the same intent as before — to be serious and focused — and hopefully things will unfold as they did in the previous match. A bit of luck is always needed as well: we must be clinical with our chances and hope our opponent is not.
How much wiser are you after the previous game against Leverkusen regarding their strengths and weaknesses?
Whatever we know about them, they know about us as well, so there isn’t much more to add.
There was a meeting at Rentis between the president and the team. Could that change the team’s mentality?
It surprises me how everyone knows the details of a private conversation. But I suppose I must get used to how things work here. There is nothing to change — it was simply a discussion. We always talk.
Any update on Pirola and your plans?
Everyone is available to play, barring any last-minute issues, as we still have one more training session. You will see the plan on matchday.
After qualifying for the play-offs and your consecutive wins in the League Phase, what do you expect moving forward in Europe?
So far, I feel we have performed well and exceeded expectations by finishing 18th among 36 teams. Ahead of us are huge clubs with bigger budgets. We are satisfied with what we have achieved so far. Now, facing the same opponent again, we want to perform just as well as we did before, knowing they are in good form. They have won six consecutive matches and compete in a strong league. Our previous win does not mean we will win again — nor does it mean we will lose. It is a new game. We aim to repeat our performance, but they also want a positive result.
When you walk across the pitch and the fans chant your name, what do you say to them?
I want to clarify that I do not do it to hear my name. It may seem that way, but it often makes me feel shy. I do this in every stadium — I like to walk the pitch before the match. I thank them very much for chanting my name.
Your team failed to score in the last two matches. Could this match agains Bayer 04 Leverkusen be the key game to change that?
Finishing is extremely important. We have seen teams with less possession and fewer chances score goals. We create opportunities but fail to convert, and that can cost you matches — that’s football. Being clinical is a crucial factor. As in the previous match against Leverkusen, we need to be efficient, because that gives you calmness and confidence during the game.
Costinha: “There is great determination to win”
The team is not in its best form at the moment. Is this match an opportunity for a boost?
Every match is an opportunity to perform well and achieve positive results. We always try to do our best. It’s true that in the last two matches we did not get what we wanted, but we have a huge desire to return to winning ways. For us, this is a new game. First, we want to deliver a good performance and then secure a positive result. There is great determination to win.
You will once again have a full stadium. Is that an extra motivation for you?
The support of our fans is always important. It is different playing with them by our side, and I am sure they will be with us again. We need them, because they give us great strength on the pitch.
You know Leverkusen, but this is a two-legged tie unlike the League Phase. Do you feel more comfortable in the first match?
We know how difficult the match will be. Although we won previously, they are a strong team with quality players. It is a big challenge for us. We will approach the game with the same desire to win and perform well. It won’t be easy, but the approach remains the same. We are playing at home and want to show our strength to achieve a positive result.
Does the crowd give you and the team an extra push?
What applies to me applies to the whole team. We always feel the difference when our fans are with us. Especially in difficult moments, their presence helps us think positively and perform better.
Let’s now talk about trasnfers; two players arrived from Rio Ave F.C. during the transfer window, as you once did. Do you advise them?
I am here to help them, as we speak the same language and I can support them. The quicker they adapt, the better for the team, because they are players who can truly help us. All of us are here to assist them, not just me, and I hope they settle in quickly.
Is there a different mentality in European matches?
We prepare every match in the same way and always want to play well and win. Perhaps the mentality changes slightly on the pitch because we face big teams and everyone wants to show their best. The competition itself demands that level. It was a childhood dream for us to play in this tournament against such opponents. We want to be at our best. But against every opponent, our desire to win is always the same.
There were talks at Rentis on Monday from all sides. What effect did that have?
Every player wants to show their best self. There is huge determination from all of us to leave everything behind and continue with positive results. We all want it and we are ready to make it happen.
