“We must fight for each other”: what did the players and coaches say before the Champions League match “Krasnodar” - “Olympiakos”

On August 21, the first match will be held as part of the playoff round of the Champions League selection, in which the Russian “Krasnodar” and the Greek “Olympiakos” will converge. The meeting will be held at the 33 thousandth stadium "Karaiskakis". According to the press service of the team from Piraeus, a full house is planned for the game, since a day before the starting whistle at the box office there are only a few thousand tickets.

Football players of Krasnodar have already arrived in Greece. “Bulls” managed to visit the stadium and held a preparatory session. True, several important players did not take part in it at once. As the mentor of the southerners Sergei Matveev noted, in the series with Olympiacos, forward team Ari and defender Alexander Martynovich who were injured in the match of the sixth round of the Russian Premier League (RPL) with Tambov will not help their teammates.

“Remy Cabella came with us. The probability that he will enter the field is not one hundred percent, but it is. As for Marcus Berg, we are pleased with his game. In every match he had moments. Yes, I have not managed to realize them yet, but we hope that this will happen in the near future, ”the coach said at a pre-match press conference.

• Press conference and training before the Champions League match Krasnodar - Olympiakos

One of the main characters of the previous qualifying round of the Champions League was forward Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov, who marked himself as a double into the gates of “Porto”. Matveev noted that the footballer did not become a victim of star fever after his success and is still in good shape.

“There was no heaven after Porto. It works as usual. He is trying to benefit the team as much as possible, ”the specialist explained.

Matveev also paid tribute to the Olympiakos footballers, especially noting the midfielder Mathieu Valbuen, as well as the successful actions of the team in defense.

“Of course, Valbuena is playing the game. Fulfills a large number of standards that bring many benefits. The Greeks did not miss in four games in a row. This is a good indicator of action in defense. But we still try to score the ball, we will do our best for this. After all, a away goal is a powerful argument in a two-match confrontation, ”said the specialist.

However, he did not dare to make assumptions about what tactics the opponent will adhere to in the match.

Olympiacos is an interesting, strong team, but it's hard for me to get into the head of another coach. We will try to be ready for any tactics of the opponent, the match will be difficult, ”Matveyev concluded.

Before the training, the Krasnodar midfielder Tonni Vilena talked to reporters, to whom Olympiacos had shown interest in the transfer market in the past. He expressed hope for a positive outcome of the meeting in Greece, and also noted the mood of his teammates.

“It is important for us to win. In my opinion, we are in good shape, despite a tight schedule. Some players undergo rehabilitation, but everyone else is in order. I know that Berg already has experience in taking the goal of Olympiacos. I hope it will score tomorrow. He already talked about our future enemy, noted his strong defense, ”the Dutchman shared his expectations.

Greek fans are one of the most emotional in Europe, which has repeatedly played a decisive role. However, fans of black and green should not be afraid. According to Vilena, Krasnodar is fully prepared for pressure from the stands.

“In fact, the question is what form you are in. If you are ready, then you will win. Our players have enough experience playing in big matches, and we will make every effort. Tomorrow you have to be a team, fight for each other, ”added the midfielder.

Messages of “bulls” on social networks also speak about the special mood of “Krasnodar” for the first match in its history at a similar level.

“We fly to Greece. We plan to bring not only a magnet, ”joked in the press service of the southerners.

“Valbuena only gets better over the years”

Of course, in the camp of Olympiacos they are also tuned exclusively for a positive outcome. At the same time, head coach Pedro Martins noted that both teams have equal chances of getting into the Champions League group stage. According to him, the opponent gave a surprise, having won the final victory over the “Port”, in connection with which his wards should not relax in advance.

“Yes, Krasnodar has not played in European competitions for so long, but there are players with such experience in its composition. This is a strong and experienced team, fast in attacks, who knows how to wield the ball, so I would not single out anyone alone. She has repeatedly proved superiority over various opponents. For our part, we must be careful and focused, ”said the Portuguese.

According to him, the Greeks are ready to respond to the active actions of the southerners in the attack and will try to control the ball as much as possible.

“We must not allow the opponent to take the ball away. Firstly, our advantage will be that we play at home. Secondly, the fans always here actively support us. Thirdly, entering the Champions League group is prestigious and corresponds to the club’s ambitions. The players understand: not only the future of the team, but also their own depends on it, ”the Portuguese explained.

He did not begin to disclose his plans for the composition of Olympiakos, however, he emphasized that the coaching staff forms a team before each specific match, based on the form in which the players are.

“I do not agree that the winning squad does not change. Many factors influence preparation. We monitor the state of the players. We keep the winning team well, but in training someone may be better prepared - he will enter the field. On the other hand, tactical training also depends on the opponent. Therefore, there is a probability of replacements. As for Valbuena, in Portugal we say that over the years a person only gets better. Mathieu matches this proverb, ”said Martins.

At the end of the press conference, the Portuguese expressed his support for the famous coach David Blatt. The mentor of the Olympiacos basketball wrote an open letter to the fans, in which he admitted that he had multiple sclerosis.

“I wish him a speedy recovery. Basketball in Greece is very popular, the team needs David, ”Martins said.

In turn, the defender of the hosts Konstantinos Tsimikas shared his expectations from the upcoming match. He admitted that the red and white feel confident after success in the previous rounds of the Champions League, and also noted that the first Olympiakos match in the home arena will play a big role.

“The main thing is that the backbone of the team was preserved, as well as the coach. He trusts the team. These are comfortable working conditions. On the home field you forget about everything. You see the fans, how they sing, chant. It fills with tremendous power. You don’t feel pain, you don’t think about anything other than the result on which you are focused, ”the player said.

In addition, he added that he was not afraid of a personal duel with Suleymanov.

“I play well, only the whole team works successfully. Yes, I had to confront the best rival players in matches with Victoria and Istanbul, but this is football. Attention and concentration are needed, ”concluded Tsimikas.