Ivan Jovanovic emphasized the importance of the home field in the replay between Panathinaikos and Slavia Prague. Shamrock meets the Czech team with a tough challenge after they had to replay the first leg 2-0 in their third Conference League qualifier.

At a press conference before the Thursday match (8.11, 20:30), the Greens coach said that his team should play differently than in the match in Prague. He even added that the whole team feels indebted to the people who sold out tickets in a short time.

What Ivan Yovanovitch said in detail

For new team play features: “The result of the first game doesn’t give us too many options. We definitely have to play our own way, but also in your mood to find solutions. The Czechs have a special way of fighting. We must have the mood, the courage, during these 90 minutes to take advantage of the atmosphere that our world will create.”

On whether the sellouts put pressure on Panathinaikos players: “Definitely not. And last year the people of Panathinaikos always gave the team positive energy, even in difficult times. I believe that this will give us more motivation and not create stress for us.”

On whether the team rallied after the loss in Prague: “I avoid talking about arbitration. I spend much more time correcting my own mistakes. Especially in cases where I’m not sure about a decision, I avoid commenting on it because I represent the whole team. The card that Palacios received was not needed. Sebastian does not force situations to win a foul or a penalty. This decision cost us a very important player both for the match there and for tomorrow. Thursday’s game will be very different. We need to be more focused. Let’s think about our responsibilities and be serious, especially against such a quality opponent.”

As for the changes that we will expect in the base schema: “Some changes will definitely be made. The situation in the first match was strange. Some players had minimal training. Bart and Alex, who had some issues, are fully prepared. A week of extra work helped Sporar, and Aitor, and Ioannidis, and Juancar, who were not completely ready.

Team play style: “There were definitely some tactical problems in the match against the Czech Republic. We didn’t have as many blocking problems as when we had the ball. That’s what we’ve been trying to work on this week as well. And analysis of the first game showed us exactly the same problem.”

For the press Slavia Prague: “This is a team that plays in a certain way and that certainly helps them. I don’t think they will change it much. The point is that we can be more efficient. To find more solutions when we have the ball to be able to threaten. We want to improve the circulation of the ball in order to create more phases. I can’t always tell you, but we’ve been working hard on this part this week.”

On the Brazilians’ two absences from Slavia and how they can benefit Panathinaikos: “It’s not two absences that can change their way of thinking. Surely you also understand that this is a team that can change 6 or 7 players at any time, depending on what kind of game they have. In the last four games they have played, there have always been 6-7 lineup changes, with no change in playing style. Of course, both Santos and Everton are good players, but Slavia have solutions. But I don’t think we need to deal with absence that much.”

On whether a quick goal or match control would help: “It won’t be a balanced game. We need to take enough risks to create the conditions that allow us to chase qualifications. I don’t know if a quick goal will help. What will definitely help is to change your image. Slavia went into the first game more dynamically, they were in better condition. This is our goal. Let’s change that.”

On whether the result of tomorrow’s match will affect transfers: “They have nothing in common with each other. I can assure you of that. It will definitely be better if we qualify. We will have a better atmosphere, big games. But the transfer plan will not be affected.”

On the team’s 5-year absence from European competition and how badly it affects: “I BELIEVE yes. The European games are a bit different in terms of team dynamics and the experience you get. Of course, the absence of Panathinaikos, the team associated with these games, plays a role. We tried to play friendly matches against competitive teams, but “They certainly don’t reach the level of European competition. But we shouldn’t see that as an excuse. We should focus on the experience that the team gets from these matches. But it definitely has an impact, because the pressure and demands in these games are different.”

For the love he and the world receive from the team: “A lot of pressure on me. But positive pressure. We couldn’t have done what we did last year without people. It has been a difficult year with great fluctuations. But the atmosphere in this stadium has always been positive, even in difficult times. Their presence was very important to us. With their presence on the field, we felt a big and strong team. When I was informed that the tickets were sold out in a short time, I felt obliged and in a good way under pressure for tomorrow’s game. Even if the match took place in a large stadium, it would still be full. Football is played for the whole world. We will be very pleased to prove ourselves worthy of their expectations. Rest assured that we will do our best to meet their expectations.”