José Alberto Cañas, who was voted Vodafone MVP of the encounter, spoke in the mixed zone of Toumba Stadium after the final whistle:

«We knew beforehand we were up for a tough match. We felt the intensity at all times. I wish we could win every match 3-0, but that is not feasible. That’s football. We knew and expected that AEK would create several problems to us. Our team deserved this victory.

One never thinks if they are important to the team or not. Of course I am glad to have won this accolade, but the team won –and that is the most important thing. My teammates give it their best in trainings and in matches, as they strive to be in the starting line-up. That is the major aim of every player, along with winning matches. I feel very well at PAOK, being able to help the team earn points, record victories and advance in the league. Today it was my turn to earn this award, someone else will claim it in the next match. That is what a team is all about –helping each other.

Our coach and his assistants are making a tremendous job. We just need to be calm. To work well and blend as a team. Perhaps fans tend to forget about it, but there are 8 newcomers in the team, and I am one of them. I have been here for 3-4 months, I am still adapting and I learn something new about my teammates, the coach and the team on a daily basis. I believe we perform well. We must be credited with a bit of time to perform even better and bring on the pitch everything we do in trainings. If we remain calm, results will follow.

The upcoming match against Qarabağ FK is very important for our future in the UEFA Europa League. Qarabağ FK proved themselves a tough opponent. We must be determined, deny them of any space on the pitch and let them know right from the start that they will lose. We will be strong, look for an early goal in order to win those three points”.

Facundo Pereyra, who came on the pitch for the last minutes of the encounter against AEK and created the play that led to the winner, also spoke in the mixed zone:

“I am happy I was able to help the team get a very important victory in the encounter against AEK Athens. I am glad because we must get three points out of every home match we play.

In such high-profile clashes, the intensity is huge. We are used to playing such games and it was important to get the three-pointer in the end. Now we must focus on our upcoming matches”.