Sznaucner: «The European exit hurts, but we must move on»
Miroslav Sznaucner gave his thoughts and insights about the upcoming Super League Interwetten Matchday 11 clash against Asteras Tripolis to the Novasports cameras. Read the Polish assistant coach’s comments here on paokfc.gr.
On the game against Omonia and the exit from Europe:
«What happened against Omonia is of course worrying. We had a different target for the outcome of that game but it did not work out. We lost the match and were eliminated from Europe. It hurts a lot. We wanted to win this match and to fight for qualification in the last match against Granada as if it wa a cup final, that is, playing for everything. And as we’ve seen, the players are very upset, they wanted a win for PAOK and for all of Greece. It hurts, it hurts a lot, but we must move on and forget it. Tomorrow a new day dawns, we return to the Greek championship and we have another big goal. We’re only interested in getting a win, and we’re preparing as best we can to do that.»
On whether the defeat can take the team backwards:
«It’s a good question. We have also been thinking about this. We did not start the first half well at all. We noticed it, we discussed it, and we stressed that this should not happen again. And I think we have improved a lot, but as you said, I also think that against Omonia, also in the first 10-15 minutes we did not press hard, and as a result we faced a lot of problems. We adjusted that, and from the 20th minute up to half-time we scored, we created phases, and had a lot of the ball. But we have to improve as a team, and need to show from the first minute what this PAOK team is about, how strong we are, and why we are strong. As a squad on paper, we are very strong, but we have to show it on the pitch right from the first minute.»
On the fact that PAOK has historically adapted more easily to more difficult opponents:
«Okay, I think this is more of a thing of the past, and we can not go back to the old days. I think that as a team we have to have our own identity and we have worked on it. However, we have not had many days to prepare as we play every three or four days. We are chasing one game after the next, we have not had as much time to work with the guys as we would like to be able to improve a few things. We keep playing, resting and playing again. This is not an excuse, however, because if we want to compete both in Europe and in the championship, as well as the cup, we have to be ready for it. This is what the big clubs have to deal with, they do not have time to work.»
On the possibility of further incoming transfers:
«Yes, we have talked about this with our technical director. We had some discussions about each player personally, about the positions where we need reinforcement, and about players who may not fit into our plans. Some initial discussions took place. I think the team does need a few players in some positions to come in and help us. We’ll see what happens.»
On the game against Asteras and on the absent players who will miss the game:
«Vieirinia is injured and Pereira is ill, but everyone else is ready. We are expecting a difficult game. For us as coaches there is no easy game. It’s tough game against Asteras, but we’re playing at home, and we want to continue our winning run. We have five victories so far and we want to continue in the same vein, so that we stay close to the top. We’re only interested in victory, nothing else.»
On the opponents:
«We have watched a lot of their games. They are a good team with a lot of quality foreign players. We expect a change to their approach though as Barrales, who is a very strong player and was a big part in their way of playing, will not play. So we expect something else, we do not know who will play as their main forward, but their are a quality team with good players. We must be wary of them. However, as I mentioned, the only thing we are thinking about is a win from this game.»