THE Panathinaikos He will face Samsunspor tomorrow (21/08/25, 21:00, Live from Newsit.gr) in the first Europa League playoff game and Rui Vitoria He stressed that the match is … the final for his team, since he wants to stay in the event.
Having even secured the League Phase in the Conference League, Panathinaikos is more… comfortable against Samsunspor in the Europa League, but Rui Vitoria essentially denied this. At the same time, he stressed that he was expecting further reinforcement of the “clover” roster.
On the part of the players, Tete spoke and said in turn that he would do everything for Panathinaikos’ victory, being happy in Greece after crossing Turkey.
Vitoria’s statements
Panathinaikos secured his European presence in a League Phase. The way the qualification came has shown to make a weight from the players. Can this positively affect the team and see more productivity? What different do we expect to see from Samsunspor compared to previous opponents?
“Indeed, one goal that was to move on to a League Phase was achieved. But now what we want is to get into the Europa League. We want and like this pressure to achieve the best possible, which at this stage is to find ourselves in the Europa League League Phase. Big groups live by this pressure. In our first two qualifiers we were probably the most difficult opponents, now we have another difficult opponent. It is by no means something that will make us relax, just the opposite! Every game is final for us so we will face tomorrow’s match. We know we are facing a good team. We are waiting for a game a little different. A very hard -working group, in good physical condition. It has players in the center that can feed the strikers well. We have to be good and focused, compact and with great consistency. We need to take the initiative and dominate the field to create the phases we want and score goals. We know it will be two hard games. Tomorrow is the first final and we will be prepared for him. “
Four games, an exclusion, a qualification, Panathinaikos has not yet won 90 minutes. What different does he have to do to reach the goal and win tomorrow? What needs to change so that a first win in the summer comes?
“Initially, I think the team showed all 4 games that he wants to play a leading role and score goals. If we haven’t done it to the extent we want it, it’s because we weren’t efficient enough, but we also have to give credit to the opposing goalkeepers who were very good whenever needed. I say this to show that we always want to have the same role, the lead. To be as close as possible to the opposing home to score the goals we want. So once the process seems to be giving up on the creation of the phases, goals will come at some point. If this will be slower or earlier no one can predict it. We can work hard, try, be close to the opposing home. We have this to a satisfactory degree, so at some point we will score goals. I think what pleases me above all is that in all 4 games I have seen the character of the team. And our fans I think are proud. Small details did not give us the qualification with Rangers. With Shakhtar we were extremely competitive against a very strong team and we went through even that way. We obviously prefer to go through more easily, but it is not always possible. In both matches the team was very serious, strong and defensive and aggressive. If we continue so, only good things will exist in the future. “
Samsunspor has some loud and weaknesses. Do you want to tell us?
“In the first place I think it is full of motivation. Any coach or footballer is able to play in double matches to get into the Europa League, he will do everything to do so. There is definitely great optimism and impatience on the side of the opposing team. I would say it’s a team that has good players on all 4 lines of the court. It fights with a formation similar to ours, a 4-3-3 but with several variations from us. They have their own model, another philosophy. Players on the offensive line that can at any time be dangerous and medium that can supply them. So the championship has started very well, with 2 wins, which gives them more optimism and shows that they are in good shape. I expect a very difficult game. They will try to neutralize us, just as we do. Their headquarters can create a powerful atmosphere. I am sure that our fans tomorrow will create an even better atmosphere, which will help us because we know that we have two difficult games against a strong and organized team. “
The first race will be here. Against Shakhtar you didn’t manage to score. Is the fact that tomorrow’s race will be in OAKA is an advantage or disadvantage for you? What game do you expect tomorrow?
“I don’t like this approach, to say that I have an advantage because I play the first match at my home. Especially since the rule of the away goal is not valid. I love to look at each race individually. We have 90 minutes in tomorrow’s race, another 90 in the second. At the moment I am focused on tomorrow’s match. The big teams can compete at any seat, against any opponent, whether it is the first or second race. I believe that both games will be difficult and hard. We will do the best we can to get results, but we know that the qualification will be judged in the second. Do the best we can in 90 minutes and we will see what happens in the rematch. “
During a players coming and leaving, Panathinaikos has managed to be regularly committed in 4 games and get a qualification. Is this a tool for the matches with Samsunspor or does it need anything more to qualify?
“I think, above all, when we talk about a qualifying phase, the important thing is to look at our own, to be as good as possible and then to see the opponent. Beyond that, in relation to each opponent we decide what the strategic plan will be, which players can serve it better, having already analyzed the opponent’s positive elements and the most vulnerable. I think so far the players are excellent at being able to put on the pitch what we have asked for. It is very important that they believe very much in the plan that exists and proof is that we see what we have said in the field. The logic of our work and the workouts we do is these levels of performance become even bigger and everyone at all times prepared to enter the team and respond. On the other hand, it is true that we are still not 100% of our performance, which would be impossible. Not even our roster is complete, there are definitely additions to be done, but this is a while because we are now 100% concentrated in tomorrow’s match with the players we have available. There is very big room for improvement, we are not yet at the point I wish, but I think we will be able to get there. “
The fact that Samsunspor has no European experience increases the degree of difficulty?
“I think he may not have European experience, but he has a great ambition and motivation. It’s a good team, you can’t go 3rd to Turkey without being good. Last year the team put Besiktas, one of the 3 traditional forces in the championship. It is a team that has been working for a long time with the same coach and the same trunk. It has a great ambition and value, but for us it doesn’t mean that. And we have a very great ambition, I think we have shown it in all 4 matches. We can respond to a very high level. We have studied the opponent very well, we will do everything possible to get through because we want to be in the Europa League League Phase. “
There is definitely a modification of the roster. We have the addition of Kalambria and Maximovic’s departure. The Italian will be on the list, is it calculated? Is there any communication with Renato Sanchez?
“I think we all understand that this situation is complicated for us coaches. We do not prefer to have such differences. I’m talking about Maximovic’s departure, which had a very important role in the first games and helped the team a lot. I want to wish him as much success and health as possible. I didn’t like the timing, but I understand that the transfer season coincides with racing obligations and we must accept it. It’s something that touches us, I’m here only with those I have at my disposal. It will not bring me anything to cry for those I don’t have. As far as Kalabria is concerned, it is for us, it has started training. It is at a very good level in the physical condition. He has cost him a bit that he was out of training for a long time. We will work it slowly. I still haven’t made a final decision on whether or not it will be. He has shown his value, he will have to show it to us to fight. All expectations are high and I think it is very close to being able to help the team a lot, perhaps in both matches. As for the team’s final roster, I want to have two equal players in each position to have internal competition. The roster has not been completed, we will definitely need additions that will raise the competition and carry different features. We have a season with continuous games, so all players will need it and we also need some additions. “
TEE: “I’m happy here”
You come from a very big qualification. What more do you need to do to qualify and against Samsunspor?
“We are very happy with the qualification. Of course it passed, so we look at tomorrow’s race. We have prepared for this opponent, we had a good week and look forward to a nice game tomorrow. “
Panathinaikos has scored only once. Tette is one of the players on the offensive line. What does it think is what is to blame and the team has such low productivity?
“We really know that we haven’t scored many goals. Although our goal is to be aggressive, to score. This is not always possible. We are well organized, a compact team, with faith and I believe that tomorrow we will have a good fight. “
The Turks know you very well from your presence in Galatasaray. Last year you made a great year. What was it that influenced you and in Panathinaikos you had a better season?
“So is football. When you are in a new team things change, you have another faith, others hiring, another coach, other teammates, another atmosphere. I’m happy here. I had a great time in Turkey, but now I am looking to do everything to help Panathinaikos. “