«Faithful to our plans»
Robin Olsen is preparing for his Greek league debut. He admits not having too much knowledge of the Super League, but it is enough. The goalkeeper of PAOK believes that the team are ready to play their game and prevail.
Here is what the Swedish goalkeeper told Novasports for the league opener, his team’s level of readiness and the key points that will decide the match against SKODA Xanthi.
The league starts on Sunday (23 August), but PAOK have already started their season six weeks now. What are the positive and negative aspects of that?
«I believe it’s positive to start early, especially with encounters such as the one against Brøndby IF. Games mean something. We need to fight with each passing minute. I think we have a higher level of readiness than the rest«.
What do you know about the Greek league?
«I know some things. Last season I was at the ranks of Malmö FF when we faced Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League group stage. We had studied some matches of our rivals, therefore I picked something there. I also have two friends in the Greek league, Marcus Berg and Jimmy Durmaz, and I have talked to them. I don’t know that much about the league, but I think it’s enough«.
You have been PAOK’s starting goalkeeper ever since joining the club. Compared to your own level of readiness, how would you rate the level of the team ahead of the opening match?
«Of course we are ready, especially after the encounter against Brøndby IF. We need to believe in our plans and to our coach’s instructions. I am convinced we are well prepared for the visit of Xanthi«.
What are the elements that the team need to have in order to defeat Xanthi?
«As stated before, we need to trust and follow our plan, listen what our coach says. If we play our game, we will prevail. Hopefully we will continue on the same line as against Brøndby IF«.
