«A tough, must-win match»
Αchilleas Pouggouras spoke to Novasports TV about the upcoming encounter against Panionios for matchday 3 of the Super League play-offs. Read what the young defender said about the incidents in Leoforos, his own condition and the team’s ahead of the clash against the blue-and-reds.
On the encounter of Leoforos:
«We, footballers, don’t like what happened in that match –and it would be best if such events wouldn’t be repeated. We didn’t start well, but we picked up our performance afterwards, especially after Panathinaikos were reduced to ten. The match finished as it did, before we got a chance to prove what we can do on the pitch«.
On how players perceive everything that is being said and written about Wednesday’s game:
«The outlook is bad, but we are not affected nor should we be by all this. We need to focus exclusively on our work«.
On the fact that the team started poorly in both play-off encounters:
«It’s a fact that we didn’t start well, especially in the second match. As I said earlier, we improved after Panathinaikos’s player was sent off. We need to play better in upcoming games«.
On his level of readiness, as he is expected to fill a void in the centre of defence:
«I feel ready and I believe I will be, if an opportunity to play arises. I haven’t been out of action for long. I played two-and-a-half weeks ago. I am waiting for my chance«.
On the encounter against Panionios:
«I believe that Panionios have a very good team. They are well organized, have stamina and physical presence. It’s a very tough match for us, as all encounters are at this stage. It will be hard, but we must win«.
On the element that can prove decisive in this encounter:
«Starting strongly from minute one and not let them get comfortable with the ball, deprive them of any hope that they might actually get something out of this game –that will certainly make the difference«.
