Lucescu before PAOK – Dinamo Zagreb: “If anyone doesn’t understand what goals we have ahead, better play 5X5”

He gave an interview Press ahead of his rematch with Dinamo Zagreb in Toumba (14/3) for Conference League “16”. Razvan Lucescu admitted that PAOK is having a difficult period of racing, however, he sent a rematch message in view of the rematch with Dinamo Zagreb. Analysing what the Romanian coach said : For the speech he gave to his players in the locker room the day after the game with Mars Rajvan Lucescu spoke, stressing that : “I told the children in the locker room, after the game with Mars, which was heavy, remember where we started and where we arrived. We’re not 10th place, but we’re fighting for the title. Now we’re second, we have a chance. If I go back to preparation, it was a very difficult situation. Then I said I’d be very positive on the kids. The most important thing then was to enter groups and then whatever comes. You saw where we are now. Sometimes things come against you, maybe our workload was too big… There are two teams to compare, the one before February and the one then to derby, but we didn’t show we gave up. It seems we are not on the same level as we were a month and a half ago and we are not on the same level.” Among other things, he noted that: “We have never shown in this time that we are giving up. That we’re done as a team.” How does tomorrow’s game turn? “Let’s go to battle to qualify and get to our history for the second time at ‘8’”. The qualification is more difficult than when we went to Zagreb but it can be overturned, we have faith and will.” For his recent statement that his players are “squeezed” : “We don’t have a problem, we are very good, we don’t have a physical condition problem, as it appeared in Zagreb but also in Toumba with Mars. I would say that we have a psychological issue, from our point of view, it was a lack of reaction and will to take risks by leaving the positions, remaining in a comfortable position, we were afraid not to make the mistake and they show us with the finger. Our minds are tired, but it is the last game before the gap that will help players clear their minds and refresh their minds, their ideas. In games, such as tomorrow, you must overcome yourself in a difficult time and get qualified in a difficult situation.” On whether he prepares a surprise : “What’s the surprise? Should I have 14 players? We need to get the opponent out of his area to do our game against a team that knows how to set up on the field, we need to have confidence and find a way to finish the phases. There was a lack of response and will to go in front of Zagreb because we rarely arrived in the region with more than one player. This isn’t the first time we’ve had a hard time, we were back with Aberdeen in 0-2, but we turned it. We should definitely score two goals and not accept.” On whether the negativeism and pressure that exists can become fuel: “I have said how it can be done. There is a great deal of negativity in Greece about the results, but footballers should also know that. Everyone has his character. There are those who feel stronger. We have great goals ahead of us, and if anyone can’t understand that, they shouldn’t be here. Let’s go play 5×5. We’re talking quarterfinals at the UECL. This is the second time in team history. When did this happen again? They have something big ahead of them to fight for a title with their work. What else would you want more as a motive? The ball is on their feet and they are professionals.” Regarding Dinamo : “We know how to play it, all I can say is that it is a team of quality and experience. He has patience and we know what a team from Croatia means in football. Petkovic is a very good quarterback, fortunately for him and unfortunately for us, he did not create anything, we left him in front of our dorm. If you don’t make it from the start, you’ll have to create the conditions to score. In Greece one day you are God and then you become the most useless, we talk about the team with the best attack and the best defense in the league.”