Sznaucer: «Getting a win against Asteras is the only thing on our minds»
Miroslav Sznaucner shared his thoughts and insights on the final Super League Interwetten Play Offs match of the season against Asteras Tripolis to the Novasports cameras. Read what the Pole said on paokfc.gr.
On his verdict about the season overall:
«Tomorrow we have the last match in the Play Offs. It was a difficult year for us and for the team. The change in coaching staff took place, with the departure of Ferreira and the hiring of Pablo. It was not easy to go straight in at the deep end. When we came in there were so many games close together and we did not have time to work. It was a big job and a difficult one.We have achieved a lot though, especially towards the end in the Play Offs; in the most important games the team showed character. We did well in many matches, but we have another very important game ahead of us. We want to beat Asteras at the Toumba and that is what we have in mind.»
On the one moment that has been engraved on his brain, and one that he would rather forget:
«In Europe we played some very good matches, of course we did not qualify for the knockout phase, however. The games with Omonia made it difficult for us and brought us a lot of sorrow. We played well against both PSV Eindhoven and Granada. We wanted something more in Europe if we are honest. In the league, we had some results that we definitely did not want, the team was fatigued at some points, but in the end we corrected things and closed the season out well by earning second place, and we also have the cup final to come.»
On what he learned from this season:
«The transition from Under-19s to the first team was not easy. I think Pablo and all of us as a team are experienced; We played good football, we know how to work, how to talk to the players. It is very different of course at the Under-19 level dealing with young players versus in the first team when you have a lot of players with different characters and big personalities. As a whole you need to have good management skills and we learned a lot.»
On how much the team has missed a packed Toumba:
«It has been a huge miss for both us and the players. It is different to play at an empty Toumba, compared to when it is full. It is a completely different match when the stadium is full. We all miss it a lot, as well as the supporters.»
On the MVP of the season:
«I have two candidates. Andrija Zivkovic and Vieirinha. Of course both Swiderski and Tzolis also both had an amazing year. We have a lot of players who are MVPs.»
On the new season and what the team needs:
«We have some initial thoughts on what the team needs. We want to make some changes in order to be a stronger, better team. We have found the way in which we want to work. We changed the system and we have to work on two systems, 3-4-3 and 4-3-3. We need different players for each system. We will review everything. Now we have to get the end of the season oiut of the way and we will see what we will do.»
On the rotation of the players ahead of the final and the match with Tripoli:
«They are a good team, a quality team; they have not lost in all of the matches. They have got many draws and we need to take care. I remember the first game in the Play Offs and in the league there, and we had problems. We will definitely need to rotate our players to give some of them a rest so I think you will see some surprises.»
On Ingason and whether he will be fit and ready for the final:
«For tomorrow he will not be ready. That is 100% certain. For the cup final, we will see.»
On whether they are already thinking about the cup final:
«Not yet. Now we are looking at tomorrow’s game with Tripoli, that is what we have on our collective minds. When that game is over then from Monday we will start the work needed for the cup game.»
