Garcia: «The players have understood quickly what we are looking for»
Pablo Garcia spoke to Novasports and gave his insights ahead of the club’s upcoming match in Athens against Apollon Smyrnis. Read what the Uruguayan coach had to say via paokfc.gr.
On the message he would like to send to the supporters in view of the second lockdown of the year:
«We all need to take care, to wear a face mask and to do everything we have to do. Mainly we need to take care of ourselves. Things are difficult. Footballers are athletes and they can handle it. But we have many senior citizens that we need to take care of. We have Mr. Iosifidis, for example. We have many grandparents in Greece and we must take care of them and have them with us.»
On what he has learned from his first two games in charge and what he aims to build:
«We have a good team. The players have understood quickly what we are looking for. This is important. The match in Europe is over and done with now. We have another difficult match ahead of us. Then there is a break [for internationals] for us to work hard. What we need is that; to work.»
On whether or not he wants the upcoming international break:
«No, but we can not change anything. We want to work. It is important for us. When you win, everything is easy, you work more calmly. Our goal is to work harder every day, to see the players, to improve them, and to become better team.»
On the changes in formation in the two games so fat and if he makes his team selections based on the opponents:
«There are the opponents, but also the players we have at our disposal. We have a system as a basis, but we look at the characteristics of our players and that is where we build the team.»
On how much it helps that he knows the younger players who have come through the academy, and on the playing tim he gave to Tsiggaras and Lyratzis:
«I was working in the academy for five years. I know the players. We have a lot of talent in the academy, and in Greece in general. Still, it needs work, and it needs the right timing; you have to look at everything. I want to look at all the young players. We have a roster of 25-26 kids, and I look at everyone. Whoever deserves it, and works hard will get a chance. Football has no age barrier, those who deserve to play will do. I do not look too closely at age. I want to be fair and do the right thing.»
On the absence of Giannoulis and Vieirinha:
«Yes, we have to consider everything. Giannoulis has played many matches, a lot of 90-minute games in a row. Vieirinha and I played together. He works very hard. He is a little behind in his physical condition. When he is ready he will get an opportunity if he deserves it.»
On how he is different as a coach versus Garcia the player:
«A footballer has only one thing to do: to be good in training, to eat right, to sleep well and to try and play well in the games. The coach has a lot on his mind. You have to think about training, psychology. The mind never stops. You have to be calm. We have a good team, we try to consider everything and we calmly try to work for the best.»
On the upcoming match against Apollon Smyrnis:
«All the games are difficult for us. And they have a good team, they have changed a lot of things, hey are dangerous up front, and are also solid at the back. We are working in order to try and play our own game. It is difficult as they will be highly motivated. But, we are a big team and we have to have greater motivation than they do.»
