PAOK – Dortmund: Mixed Zone
After the final whistle of PAOK’s encounter against Dortmund, corresponding to matchday 2 of the UEFA Europa League group stage, the players attended the needs of the press in the Mixed Zone of Toumba Stadium and spoke about their effort.
PAOK´s scorer of the night, Róbert Mak, didn’t want to elaborate much on his own performance. He spoke about the team effort and the tough schedule ahead:
«We knew that Dortmund are among the favourites to win the competition, but we wanted to win. The match went as we wanted for 75 minutes, but we then conceded. Overall it’s a good result, but we wanted to win. We knew that Dortmund have fast players, who, given the opportunity, can inflict much damage to rivals. We closed up spaces in our half and looked for counterattacks. That’s how the goal was achieved. It’s good to score but it’s more important to have the team finish among the top two of our section. Our next game against Krasnodar is crucial. Now we switch our focus to the visit of Olympiacos. We need to rest and think only about that game»..
Dimitar Berbatov meanwhile spoke about a very important point won against very strong opposition. He also stated that qualification is a feasible aim:
«I believe that we played a good game. Dortmund equalized with a lucky goal. We deserved to win, we fought like a team. We took the lead but failed to hold on to it at the end. Our collective effort was very positive, we performed well and, at the end of the day, a point earned against Borussia Dortmund is a good thing. We have played just two games. Everything is possible. We can advance to the next round and that is exactly our aim. With so many games ahead, changes and rotation are on the menu. However I repeat: a point against Dortmund is a good thing».
As for Giorgos Tzavellas, who signed one of his best matches at PAOK, he looked really bummed with the defeat and especially that soft goal conceded.
«It was important for the team to prove that they were prepared to take on such a rival. We were unlucky in the equalizer. However, before kick-off, we would have been glad to sign for a draw. We managed to contain Dortmund and close down spaces, as it’s impossible to face them on open space. I am very upset though. We have important matches ahead to improve on our standings in the group. Our next game is at home and it’s imperative to win. I couldn’t avoid the caution, as my rival was already escaping. That’s part of the game».
