«It will depend on us»
After the loss to Panionios in Nea Smyrni, the “Double-Headed Eagle” want to bounce back and return to their winning ways against Levadiakos. Vladan Ivić spoke to Novasports for the upcoming encounter.
On losing to Panionios:
«Our last game didn’t go as we wished and we didn’t get the points we were after. But that happens in football. There is another match ahead of us now and we must react. We need to be concentrated and make an effort to win again«.
On the lesson learned again Panionios:
«Circumstances were a bit odd –at least a few plays were, as I concluded after watching the game again. We also had 3-4 opportunities in the second half that we didn’t make the most of. The match could have gone our way after the equalizer. I told the guys that such games teach us lots of things. We don’t have much time in our hands, there are two must-win games ahead of us and we focus only on them. We face a team with no need for points, as they have already secured that they will remain in the league. I am sure though that they will make it difficult for us. We have been working all week and we will do whatever it takes to react and get those three points«.
On whether his players are affected by stress and need for points:
«No, they are not. They know what we aim for and are as optimistic as I am. We are working hard on a daily basis and I ask of them to react correctly and think clearly. If they do that, I have nothing to worry about«.
On whether playing behind closed doors will be a factor and what is his main concern regarding Levadiakos’s game:
«It’s not good to play in empty Toumba. We always count on the support of our fans and we will miss that on Sunday. There’s nothing we can do about it though. It isn’t the first or the last match to be played under such conditions. Sadly these things happen. I believe that football is for the fans and what has been happening recently isn’t even worth talking about. Regarding Levadiakos, they have a tight and disciplined team and their main forward, Mantzios, is in form. He is a very good and experienced player, a natural-born striker with good moves in the box, lots of goals and assists. The players on the flanks are very good as well. My players know all that and I believe that the outcome depends on us«.
On injured players returning to action:
«I believe that Berbatov, Jairo and Mystakidis will be ready for the play-offs. Hopefully we will participate in the play-offs and all three will be ready. We want to work for every match with all players available«.
