Here is Angelos Anastasiadis’ press conference after the encounter against PAS Giannina in detail:

His initial statements:

“We didn’t play well but didn’t deserve that scoreline either. We made many errors, especially regarding our discipline on the pitch, and were made to pay for them. We conceded three goals in counterattack, we lack experience. Our problems cost the team. Some guys are pivotal to this team and when they don’t play it shows. I am not saying that the players who started today didn’t put an effort. They ran a lot, but without a purpose. Our first goal is preceded by an error, the second as well, after missing the opportunity to equalize. Our rivals were well positioned on the pitch. We knew they would opt for a counterattacking game, they did the same against Olympiacos and Atromitos. They didn’t startle us, we were aware of their tactics. Unfortunately we conceded three goals in three counterattacks”.

About the team failing to score in a league away match for the first time this season:

“All conclusions today should worry us. Up until today, it was hard for our rivals to approach our box, now they do so easily. That means lack of discipline and I am to blame, no doubt about it. The only extenuating factor is my players’ youth. That is the only excuse I can find –it’s really not an excuse, but the reality”.

About the goals conceded on counterattacks:

“It’s easy to pass judgment on a match. It’s easy to defend against a counterattack. It depends however on the perception of the player at that given moment, should he go slower or quicker. It’s an individual error, not a team behaviour. We are being tested. I am sad about the way we lost. We were fresh today, we could run”.

About Răzvan Raț’s absence:

“Raț is tired and has accumulated fatigue. We decided that fielding him today would probably hurt him. I don’t think that the heavy scoreline is due to Raț’s absence. We are title contenders and shouldn’t depend just on one player. Several guys are missing, but we need to advance. In two days we have a new game, we shouldn’t get stuck to this setback”.

About the upcoming league encounters:

“That remains to be seen, if we have the stamina and the mental baggage to go all the way. I don’t like excuses, but we didn’t do what we were supposed to. For a month now, we have a bad time, but no excuses. When playing away against a team with a good roster, it is normal that they will aim to win. Mistakes are paid in football and we did so at 100%. Our team could have equalized and record a different result altogether”.

About his spell at PAS Giannina:

“I always make it a point to work hard. I like everybody at PAS Giannina and I would like to wish the players and their coach merry Christmas and a good showing in the league. I would like to thank the club for giving me the opportunity to work here”.

About the national team of Greece:

Some people are trying to shift my focus and feed stuff that just aren’t true to the fans. I will speak once and won’t get into specifics. Throughout my career, I was the one getting fired from the clubs. You get what I mean. I never “betrayed” a team, never did anything harmful to others, I only harmed myself. During my time at Cyprus, clubs would call me and I would tell them to speak to the federation: ‘I don’t want to leave. If the federation wants to get rid of me, that’s OK’. Abroad we’ve seen coaches work simultaneously for the national team and a club, but not in Greece. I know nothing about the issue. Coaching the Greece team is an honour especially for a Greek. But I have a contract linking me with PAOK, I wouldn’t speak with anyone because of it, not even if Real Madrid came to sign me. When I was at Edessaikos, I didn’t have a contract but had given my word. PAOK called me at that point, but I didn’t agree. They then turned to Archontidis –a week later I was sacked from Edessaikos”.

About the contract extension of Katsikas:

“I am focused entirely on the match at Livadia. After that match, we can talk. I haven’t discussed the issue with Katsikas. What we talked about with the player is entirely different from what you are saying now”.