THE Panathinaikos welcomes Shakhtar at OAKA on Thursday night (7/8/2025, 21:00) in their first game for his third qualifying Europa League.
Rui Vitoria spoke at a press conference on the Panathinaikos test against the Ukrainians at the OAKA, arguing that the clover has a difficult mission and that the Ukrainian game should spoil.
For the match with Shakhtar: “I have to be clear. We will face a very good team. Both matches against Besiktas won them right. They have quality players in all lines. Most of them have been playing together for some time and are well with each other, they have created automation.
On the other hand they have quality Brazilian footballers on the midfield. In my opinion we will face one of the best teams in the phase we are, if not the best.
This is realism. On the other hand, this does not remove anything from the quality of the team that seems from what we have shown in the races and shows everyday training.
Yes we were ruled against Rangers, but we have shown a team with determination and quality and many other elements and this shows us that we can qualify if we correct some specific details such as luck and ineffectiveness. “
For the degree of preparedness of Zarouri and a tip that would give George Vagiannidis: “For Zorze Costa I have to say that it was a big blow for all of us in Portugal. He did too much in football. Condolences to his family. As far as Zarouri is concerned, he is a footballer who will be important to us. He has done a few workouts, not enough, we would like to be with us earlier, but this is how the market works. At the end of today’s training we will see his readiness, as well as for the rest.
For Vagiannidis. I really like players who train to improve their lives at all levels. On the same side I would like to have him here, since we are talking about a quality footballer who knows Panathinaikos and Greek football, but I understand that he himself has to look at the best for him.
In my opinion, being a member of the Academy and having competed in the big team, he can convey what he has received to Sporting. He is not 100% yet a complete player, but if he improves what he stays with then he can certainly do great things. He is ready for Sporting’s step and I wish him every success.
The fact that he is no longer with us, we must not see it as negative. But as if it goes to Europe to advertise the team and be another link in a big chain we want to create. The footballer wanted to take the step further and Panathinaikos was very pleased to help him. “
For what to do against Shakhtar: “It’s a very difficult game. We are talking about a very strong team and units that have good chemistry. We need to be very focused and competitive in all areas. Not only in the opposing area, in the duels, at a time when it will be needed.
We need to have the possession of the ball and not let them have the ball on their feet so that they can spoil their game. We must, as we did with Rangers, can steal high to create problems. “
For the role of absences: “Both teams certainly have issues. The opposing team has quality and solutions to replace those who are missing. And we on our side, although our roster has not yet been completed, we also have solutions, we want to have two players equal to each position and I have said that to my players. There is the right quality to replace those players who cannot compete. I don’t want any team player to feel it will be a priori basic »
For the way players treated the situation with Ranger: “The experience I have throughout my career first is that we do not need to dramatize situations. Games with Rangers have passed. We have to clear our minds. This makes the real champions. They go beyond that it has happened and keep the struggle for them to help them. The hardest part in football is to create good finals.
We had this. As far as the finish of the phase is concerned, it requires effectiveness, inspiration and even luck. We have great quality players who have shown that such situations can leave behind. I’m sorry because we did more enough to cross the Rangers. So as we pressed it there, other matches may come that we will score with fewer finals. This is how football works. We’re on a very good track, I’m sure. “
Sfederski for Shakhtar: “Great to play in front of 45,000 Panathinaikos”
Carlos Sfiderski represented Panathinaikos players and said:
For ineffectiveness in matches with Rangers: “Yes we certainly had enough to score against Rangers. We know that we had to be better in the box to better complete the phases. This week we did a lot of good workouts and I am optimistic about tomorrow’s match with Shakhtar. “
For the fact that he should do with Shakhtar to do what he did not do with Rangers: “Football is like that. Everything changes in a week. One week you may be excellent, the next one. We have to forget what has happened and show our best now. Certainly we should have won, but now we have another qualification ahead of us. So we have to focus on it, give everything and go through Shakhtar Donetsk »
To support the world in spite of exclusion: “Great feeling to play in front of over 45 thousand fans. Too bad we didn’t win. I hope tomorrow will give the same dynamic present so that we can show them what we can do against Shakhtar. We want to be there to support us and we will do everything for them. “