«We’ll fight until the end»
Two days before the team returns to action, Vladan Ivić talked to Novasports TV analyzing his thoughts on the upcoming encounter against Panionios, on his players’ condition, the injury list and everything that is happening in Greek football and the national team.
On the encounters of Greece national teams:
«I watched them both. They are in a preparation period, with a new coach who wanted to check out things and tried out many players in order to see how best to use them«.
On his meeting with Michael Skibbe:
«Since his first day at the job, he is making an effort to create something good for Greek football. What we all agreed on was to try and improve the level of the players featuring in Greece’s national youth sides both technically and tactically. It was a fruitful meeting between coaches and we were told that there will be more of them in the future«.
On the effect of the international break on his team:
«It was good for me, because as newcomer in the team I needed that time to work on several things with my players –those who were in Thessaloniki of course. We worked for ten days in a row as there was no match scheduled. I would have liked to have more players at my disposal of course, but the international break didn’t allow it. I believe that our work will show on the pitch. I am a positive man and believe that we worked well. I saw many things these two weeks and our results will prove if that international break was good for us or not«.
On the injured players:
«We speak with the players and consult with the medical staff on a daily basis. I can’t tell you yet if someone will be back in action for the Panionios game, but one by one they are rejoining full training and hopefully most of them will be ready to play soon«.
On whether the team is affected by developments in Greek football nowadays:
«I believe that everybody, from their own post, wants to do what’s best for Greek football. Those involved in the sport must give it their all to help football in Greece advance«.
On his talks with PAOK FC administration members and if they regard just the present or the future as well:
«Let us keep that to ourselves. Eventually you will learn about it«.
On the encounter against Panionios:
«It is a very good team who have managed to remain high in the standings. That’s no fluke. They are very disciplined and we are up for a tough encounter. I believe in my team and I want us to give 100% on the pitch to get the desired result. I believe that we are improving and the players are ready to do what I ask them to. That is the way to win. We will fight until the end and hopefully we will get where we want«.
