‘Our goal is to qualify for the World Cup, I’m optimistic, but we have to stay grounded’

The Greek national team won 2-0 against Finland in Helsinki for the 6th matchday of League B of the Nations League.

In the statements at the press conference after the game, Ivan Jovanovic pointed out that he was satisfied with the image of the blue and white, but everyone should remain humble in view of the demanding sequel.

What he said in detail:

On Greece being historically unbeaten in Finland and what changed in the second half: “We talked about that, that we hadn’t won here, I kind of understand the reason. It was important for us to win for many reasons: to react, to have the right transition after the England game, to try until the end for first place, our presence in the second capacity group, to finish this effort in the best way in this cycle of games and it was not easy through a disappointment like that with England.

We had to control the tempo, Finland is a good team in circulation, their position does not reflect the games they have played. We managed it during the first half, the problem was to find the solutions in a closed defense with many footballers. We didn’t have the determination to finish the phases, we were soft. We weren’t dangerous on the counter, we were good in our positioning, the passes we were looking for in the gaps weren’t always good and we didn’t have good partnerships between the players near the striker.

We talked about it at half-time, we had to be more decisive. In general our reaction was good because Finland is a good team, except for the last fifteen minutes we had no problems. I am satisfied with our reaction, the way of thinking in controlling the gamesee that we can be much better when we had to find spaces to finish the attacks”.

For the statement of Mr. Gagatsis that Greece deserved to be first and if he sees Greece in the World Cup: “Second place however we did it was a foregone conclusion if England won. We regret that if we had played better at home to England, maybe we could have been more competitive. We lost and had this draw, a win or each team on the other. The first place was played at home, the only game in six that our performance was not up to par. We could have performed better.

Our goal is to go to the World Cup, it makes sense and I am optimistic. The kids show on the pitch that they are serious. The games in the group were not easy, but we have a lot of work ahead of us because I have been here for six games, it was very important that the players understand my way of playing and my way of thinking. They succeeded to a large extent, we have a good base and I am given the possibility in the future to do some other things that will benefit us.

We have players and we can have other options. We must remain humble and serious, the demands will be greater and it is logical, we will have to respond. Let’s be optimistic.”

For the team ceiling: “Because we are many years away from the big competitions I think we have to stay grounded, as we were in the six group games. We want to go to a big competition but not much has changed in three months, from a situation that was not good after exclusion from the Euro.

We haven’t changed much, there is a generation of footballers who want to react, are proud to play for the National Team, are trying. It is true that we have not stolen anything, we got what we deserved. We must remain humble. In Greece we get excited easily and after great excitement comes great disappointment.

To have seriousness, humility. We still haven’t managed to do many things, it’s been a good event, but we haven’t managed to do anything that allows us to be anything other than what we are now. In football, duration shows the value of a team.

I hope to have them all healthy, in good shape in March as well and the qualifiers will definitely be more difficult than this group was, with more demands.”

About Mouzakitis: “The youngster who made his debut pleases us all. He deserved it, I don’t do any favors. I didn’t do it in the clubs, I won’t do it in the National Team either, he deserved it. It’s a message that the National Team is for the youth and the players outside of the Greek league, the rotation has to be opened because there are injuries, there are cards. Mouzakitis is not the only one, there are other guys who will get the chance soon. I hope their teams will too support. We have experienced players who help us with their seriousness.”

For the appearance of Koulierakis and the defensive duo: “I want to say that I have an excellent central defensive duo, but it’s not just Koulierakis and Mavropanos, who play because they have chemistry. It’s also Hatzidiakos and Retsos who are excellent footballers.

The good thing is that there is competitive discipline, they know where to be and how far they can intervene in the game. And the first goal in England was started by Koulierakis, just like today. We are playing with a lot of risk, if we want to see the value of these kids, an open field game might suit us better. In this position we really have good options and if Hadzidiakos and Retsos needed to play together I would have no qualms.”

On whether he has in mind to make more additions and if he thinks about the trio in defense: “The trio was made because a player bothered me. He knows who he is, I told him. I did it for more security. Because I had pointed out to you that we really have good stoppers, maybe later I will think about it. Not like today, today was about closing the game without problems. Certainly in the future due to the quality we have both in the stoppers and in the full-backs we may think about diversifying our way of playing and it will benefit us in some games.

Of course additions will be made, it is a very long period until March. The main thing is for my players to participate in the games, to have a competitive pace. It’s up to them to be competitive in the teams they play.”

On whether consistency matters under high pressure: “Yes, in the Nations League you don’t have much to lose, in the World Cup qualifiers you do. We have to have the same mentality. We had to prove we deserve to compete in League B, we were in League C and we came one game away from promotion in League A.

We have to stay humble because the next games will require us to be much better than we are today. Because we started well, we have some positive samples, liabilities are at a higher level than they were three months ago and we have to accept that. Now there are greater demands on us and it makes a huge difference. The crowd gave us support in all three games, the ability to be good. What we live we must keep.

The playoffs that follow will be very serious games, with a strong team, it will be a first test. We have to be ready for that and then focus on the World Cup qualifiers where we have to be better than we were now.”