On the new year:

«I am confident that 2018 will be a very good year for PAOK. We are working hard on a daily basis to achieve our goals. On a personal note, the season has been going very well so far, but nothing is over yet. We need to remain focused«.

On the reasons behind his improvement:

«When I joined the club last season, I wasn’t totally ready, as I was nursing an injury. I wasn’t mentally ready either for the transfer, therefore it took me some time to adjust to the new situation. This season I am totally focused, I give it all in order to improve and help my team. It’s a very important season for PAOK in order to win the league, after so many years of title drought«.

The keys behind PAOK’s solid defensive displays:

«Good defence starts from the attack. When strikers are focused on what they need to do when ball possession is lost, then it’s easier for us defender to perform well. It’s a collective effort. I feel comfortable with all my partners in defence, no matter who is featuring: Malezas, Crespo or Zambrano (who left) or full-backs Matos and Vieirinha, who are very experienced and have quality. It’s a pleasure to play alongside them«.

On Moledo:

«All players joining PAOK need to prove their worth. Undoubtedly he is a very good player, of high quality, and will help us improve. I like the extra competition, because I stay focused and set out to prove that I deserve to play. I like such players, because they keep me motivated and help me improve«.

On whether he feels more at home, speaking the same language with many of his team-mates:

«It’s obviously easier to share the pitch with players who speak the same language, because it facilitates communication and coordination. However, in football, all languages are the same«.

What is the most important aspect of the current season’s first part:

«We need to be very focused in each match, because we know that every error will count from now on. Mistakes can throw us off track in our quest to win the league title. All sides will be stronger from now on, therefore we must remain focused«.

On whether high-profile clashes are more difficult than the rest of the games:

«Right now, I believe that it’s just the opposite – matches against theoretically weaker opposition tend to be more difficult. For example, AOK Kerkyra are in a tough spot, have a new coach and acquired new players. Therefore, we don’t know what to expect of them«.

What will make him happy at the end of the season:

«Winning both domestic competitions. It will be the best outcome for the team, the club owner and our fans«.