On what he has changed concerning the team following the loss to Panathinaikos at the OAKA in the Super League:

«Regarding that match, I think the main difference has been how effective and efficient the team has been when the first big chance of a match comes along. Back then in that match, in one of those big chances we had, we didn’t score, but today we did.»

On the opportunities which PAOK missed:

«Here in Greece, as I have said before, my players are my family. So far, we have done a good job together, with many difficulties cropping up along the way as is the natural order of things. This quarter-final phase could have been already finished after the first leg, when we also had a lot of scoring chances. We can’t try to deny this. Today we tried to produce a similar performance as in the first leg. In football, even though you don’t control the outcome, you control your performance and the things you can do well.»

«I told my players yesterday that if we score first, then we would kill the opponent’s confidence and optimism. And I said that if we conceded a goal, the opponent would also believe the same much more. We knew we would have to suffer a little, and be pressured more as our opponent would have to take risks. My players they knew well what they had to do. They were very focused from the first minute, we did what we needed to do in the first half and it was all over at that point. I have to congratulate them on what they did in this quarter-final phase, they really showed character.»

Είπα χθες στους παίκτες μου, ότι αν παίξουμε στο σημερινό παιχνίδι και σκοράρουμε πρώτοι, τότε θα σκοτώσουμε την αυτοπεποίθηση και την αισιοδοξία του αντιπάλου. Αν δεχόμασταν γκολ, ο αντίπαλος θα πίστευε πολύ σε αυτό. Ξέραμε ότι θα υποφέραμε λίγο, θα είχαμε πιο κοντά τις γραμμές μας και ο αντίπαλος θα έπρεπε να ρισκάρει. Οι παίκτες μου, ήξεραν καλά τι έπρεπε να κάνουν, μπήκαν πολύ συγκεντρωμένοι από το πρώτο λεπτό, κάναμε αυτό που έπρεπε στην πρώτη φάση που είχαμε και εκεί τελείωσσν όλα. Πρέπει να τους δώσω συγχαρητήρια για όσα έκαναν σε αυτή τη προημιτελική φάση και πραγματικά έδειξαν χαρακτήρα«.

On the midfield pairing of Josip Misic and Mauricio:

«We mustn’t forget that the central midfield pairing who started the season was Omar El Kaddouri and Anderson Esiti. Last year Misic was fifth choice in the midfield. There was Oliveira, Shakhov, Canas, and Mauricio who played more games. What we have tried to do this season in the central midfield area is to find a pairing which has a harmony between them each time. I think that we are all increasingly aware that team play is the trump card of this squad, and we are investing in it. We depend on each player as a member of the team and that makes everyone play even better. Dimitris Pelkas did not play in the last game and today he played with such high intensity. Whichever player comes off the bench, we want him to do his best. They are all part of the team. Paschalakis took my opportunity and said «I’m here and you can count me». The same goes for Michailidis, and so I have to give credit to the PAOK Academy system for these players. «

On the positive change in PAOK’s style:

«We’ve passed this period now. Every team experiences fluctuations in their performance over the course of a season. We must continue on the same path, believing in our game plan whether things are going well, as they are now, or when they are not going so well as was the case before some 15 days ago. The only thing I can promise is that I will do my best to evolve these players. I can’t promise anything about the results because they are decided by many factors. I try to do the best job I can.»

«I’ll say something simple. Neither am I the best coach today, nor will I be the worst tomorrow. We are presenting a project. The rules of football are simple and clear to everyone. For the coach, the management, the players, for everyone … When I signed up for three years, I knew we would try to create a team that would win more titles, and the big goal is to play in the Champions League. I repeat, it’s a three year plan and I’m working based on that.»

On the moments he is experiencing at PAOK:

«From day one I have felt the trust and support of Mr. Savvidis. I loved the fact that he gave me a lot of tips that I always remember and they are very helpful. I am sure that either rain or shine, we will all be here united and strong, to continue our work.»

On injuries suffered by Pelkas and Paschalakis:

«The pictures of Paschalakis make things look a bit worse than they are. It’s too early to say yet so we will wait until we have a more clear view on it. It doesn’t seem to be anything serious, but we’ll see it in detail tomorrow. Everyone showed great bravery. They came here to make sure we progressed to the next round and they deserve all the plaudits for it.»