Here is what the Swedish goalkeeper said:

On the importance of keeping a clean sheet:

«It’s always important to be strong in defence, especially in knock-out ties where away goals count«.

On what PAOK should be especially careful about:

«I don’t know Brøndby IF that well, as I have never faced them before.«.

On the high temperatures that could hinder the effort of the Danish side:

«It could definitely prove a factor of the team. But we will also face a different temperature in Denmark in a week’s time, but I am used to it. Brøndby IF players could suffer tomorrow«.

On PAOK’s chances of making it to the group stage:

«We must be vigilant in defence. I know that Brøndby IF are dangerous in attack. We must stop them and increase our chances of qualifying. We must believe in our potential«.

On the first leg being at home:

«We have to perform well in both matches in order to advance. Perhaps it would be best to have the second leg at home, but that is not something that bothers us«.

The coach of the “Double-Headed Eagle” especially mentioned the focus that his players should have. Here is what he said in detail:

On the Toumba encounter:

«I expect us to play a good game, to prove that we are improving, that we are making progress. I also expect us to get a good result, meaning a victory without conceding. We know that Brøndby IF are a good side, very well organised, but as always we focus more on our game«.

On whether the friendly game at Veria provided lessons to learn:

«There is no such thing. I never cast such importance in friendly encounters. They are training matches and provide the opportunity to test players and tactics. We are ready and I expect us to display the proper mentality, as in previous matches. All ten outfield players must defend well and hopefully we will be presented with the chances to score the goals we need«.

On the incident with Mystakidis and the absence of newly-signed players:

«It’s all about respecting the team. I don’t like to see such behaviour, especially from the young players. I am satisfied with the newcomers, however most of them are not eligible. Come Sunday and the league start, they will all be at our disposal. Of course, having 5-6 new players means that we have to take it from the start as they need to adjust to our expectations«.

On his starting XI and whether Stefanos Athanasiadis is ready to play:

«Klaus isn’t ready yet. I have decided on my starting line-up and I know who are ready and who can’t play all 90 minutes.«.

Regarding the trust on his roster:

«Of course I would have preferred having all newly-signed players at my disposal. I believe we are good enough to make it to the group stage. I trust in my actual squad«.

Whether he considers Brøndby IF an easy opponent:

«I don’t agree that we have an easy task. It’s tough comparing Brøndby IF with FC Spartak Trnava before playing against them. I have watched the Danish side in 2-3 games. They are well organised and prefer a 4-3-3 formation. They have several variations in their attack. We will focus on our game as we usually do. We need to get control of the match, have a tight defence and display the proper mentality as we did in previous encounters«.