On the holiday break:

«Happy New Year to all, with good health. I had a good time, got a rest, took a much-needed breather. I believe we all needed this rest. We went through a very tiring first half of the season, with many and tough encounters, derbies, a period that stretched from July to December. We all rested and now are ready and prepared for Sunday’s match«.

On 2018:

«Our triumph in the Greek Cup stands out, as well as the fact that we could have won the league title but ended up losing it –the way we lost it… On a personal level, I am glad for my second half of last season starting January. In the current season, I started well in the summer, then I had a normal out-of-form period –all players go through such gaps. Now I am rested and return to action in high spirits willing to achieve a lot«.

On his team’s performances:

«When faced with so many and tough encounters, a team need to start well in the summer, in the most important ones in order to achieve a first-ever accomplishment such as reaching the UEFA Champions League group stage. It was normal to invest more energy in the beginning of the season. That is what I did, that is what the whole team did –afterwards we suffered a slump. We managed to escape this slump stronger though, we lead the standings and haven’t dropped points in the league except for the draw against Atromitos. In my book, that is a positive thing…«.

On the elements that can lead PAOK to the title:

«As far as I am concerned, we must take it one game at a time, starting with Sunday’s encounter. We must focus on the job at hand, concentrate 100% and follow our coach’s instructions with more determination and passion. We must go on the pitch to win each match. It’s important to be dedicated and willing to win«.

On the defeat at Patras, Prijović’s departure and how they affect the team:

«I will speak about the Greek Cup match, as it was the first after a long break. Those who featured hadn’t played for a long time, the pitch was bad and, adding 1-2 errors, the defeat is understandable. That should be a lesson for us, a rude wake-up call and we should be smarter from now on. No harm is done though, as we have the opportunity to turn the tie around in the second leg against Panachaiki. It was a lesson for us however and we should be more focused on our Sunday match, because there is no luxury of bouncing back in the league.

Regarding Alex, he contributed a lot to the team in his two years at PAOK, he scored many goals, he demonstrated his scoring skills and we will definitely miss him. But nobody is irreplaceable. We should learn to survive such losses, just like other teams do. The remaining strikers, Akpom and Karelis, are very good players in my opinion. It’s their opportunity to show they can lead our attack. I hope they will make it and prove to us and to themselves that they can help the team«.

On taking on more responsibility now, as he and his teammates are called to cover Prijović’s void:

«Everything that happens on the pitch is team work, there is collective responsibility. We all work together. Alex was excellent in converting the team’s build-up to goals. I hope and I am confident that Akpom and Karelis will do the same work, as long as everyone continues to play for the team. As long as we commit to collective work, I believe that goals will follow«.

On Sunday’s game:

«I am 100% dedicated to the team, especially to Sunday’s match, as I consider it one of the most important encounters of the season. It’s a tough outing. I really want us to win in Tripolis. Regarding transfer rumours, I traveled with my girlfriend to Turkey at Christmas – it was a leisure trip for us to relax. My girlfriend wanted to visit Istanbul and we went there. Sloukas, the basketball player, is a good friend of mine and he got us tickets for Fenerbahçe’s game against Real Madrid, a good match. There is no truth to the rumours and I have nothing more to add. It was only vacation. I am dedicated to PAOK, my team«.

Whether he is concerned regarding his future and his contract:

«No, no discussion has been made and nothing concerns me. I am fully dedicated to the sporting aspect of my career, I focus on my improvement, on helping the team achieve their goals and win the much-coveted league title. That is my dream since I was a child and I will do everything to make it come true«.

On the team’s condition:

«The team are back from the holiday break. We are all returning to normal rhythm. We must be very focused and dedicated to Sunday’s match – as I said earlier, it’s one of the toughest of the league. We are well, we are concentrated, we trained well and I believe we will be ready on Sunday«.

On Asteras Tripolis:

«They have a good team. They didn’t start well in the season and suffered some unlucky setbacks. After their coach change, they have been playing better and recorded good results. It will be a very good match and the team to display more passion will win it«.

On whether he is dreaming of winning in that particular ground:

«Some will say that traditions are meant to be broken, others will say that they exist for a reason. Two years ago, we recorded our last win there, courtesy of two Koulouris’s goals. It’s a tough ground for us, but we go there to win, because we have to learn living under pressure. Leagues are won thanks to such victories«.