Olympiakos coach revs up players ahead of soccer league’s do-or-die clash
Motivating his players for this Saturday’s do-or-die clash against league leader AEK, Takis Lemonis, the coach of defending champions Olympiakos, heaped generous praise on his players yesterday for their gritty comeback on Sunday against Panachaiki. It keeps alive the club’s bid to retain its national soccer league title. Olympiakos, which trails AEK by three points with two remaining rounds of play, had trailed 1-0 against Panachaiki until the 79th minute in an away match played in Patras, but sensationally turned the match around with three late goals. «I rarely commend you, but this time you deserve to be congratulated because your efforts were amazing as, even with a draw, the title would have slipped out of our reach,» Lemonis told his players. Over the weekend, AEK also registered a 3-0 win over Iraklis to maintain its three-point difference. Third-placed Panathinaikos is out of contention. During his post-match analysis, Lemonis told his players that the opponent’s heavy defensive play had been anticipated, but not to the extent that was the case. He commended his team for eventually managing to break through Panachaikis’s clogged defense line. «We expected a closed game from Panachaiki, but what we actually confronted was unprecedented. We were the team that tried to play creative soccer and penetrate the opponent’s defense,» Lemonis said. «I understand that there was plenty of nervous tension, and that was reflected by the way we rejoiced over our goals,» he added. Looking forward to Saturday’s crucial encounter – a win for Olympiakos would tie the two clubs at 55 points apiece ahead of the final round – Lemonis emphasized its importance to his players. «It’s the game, which, if it’s won, will be a big move toward the title,» Lemonis reminded. «Otherwise, in all probability we will have lost it. We’ve got to remain composed. We all know that we belong to a great club with big expectations. We all want this title and it’s the fighting spirit that counts in such games.»
