On the team’s display and their numerous errors:

«We committed several errors today. We weren’t as focus as I would have liked. That is not the level of performances that PAOK should maintain, but let’s not forget that we are already on matchday 3 of the play-offs. This team has kicked off the season earlier than all others, it’s been so many games. I am not looking for excuses, but that would explain our errors today. It’s good we won though, we are moving forward and will attempt to avoid these errors in the next match«.

On whether he believed that PAOK would get 7 points out of their first three matches:

«Now we focus on the upcoming home game with Panionios. Just one game at a time, that is the way to proceed. I say the same to my players. We can’t afford to relax, we have four-and-a-half hours of football remaining. They have gone through so many battles. There are just four-and-a-half hours left. We all want to succeed. We now depend on ourselves and that is important. We didn’t count points before actually securing them. It’s our aim to win all matches. We don’t care about the rest, we are only interested in what we do«.

On Vítor and Berbatov:

«Vítor could have played today, as he has been back at trainings in the last 5-6 days. The doctor suggested it would be preferable to rest him in this match and so we decided to leave him in Thessaloniki. He is fit and will be available for the next match. Berbatov hadn’t played in a long time. He came on the pitch and helped us. He did what he had to do and provided calmness to the team«.

On the team’s improved performances since he has been at their helm:

«Igor Tudor is a good coach and had his own plan. I came later –maybe we look at things differently. I have made a few changes in the line-ups, in the system. That’s normal in football. Maybe someone else will come after me to change things. I can’t speak about my predecessor. He certainly tried to do his best«.

On the pressure on the team:

«Ever since I took over, I said that PAOK players have quality. There will always be pressure at PAOK. That is normal when the club hasn’t won a title in many years. It was the same when I was a player. One just needs to adapt to it. We are here to help the young players, who may be here for 7-8 months but they don’t understand some things, also because of the language barrier. We want to help them and keep focus during trainings. If players are serious in training, they can also be during matches«.

On how he can help his young players avoid errors:

«Errors are natural and unfortunately there will be happening. When some things we try in trainings don’t come out on the pitch during our matches, errors happen. Today we conceded too many balls, we didn’t move well off-the-ball especially in the first 25 minutes. When we passed the ball around quickly, we managed to carve out 2-3 decent chances. Apart from their spot kick, our rivals also tried 2-3 long-range shots. Errors can happen, but it’s important to acknowledge them. That is what I do and I am trying to convey self-criticism to my players. We are dedicating this victory to Panagiotis Pikilidis. He was a great PAOK man and left us two years ago. This win is for him«.