Marko Nikolić spoke at the press conference ahead of the Superbet Super Cup final against OFI, with the Serbian coach describing the battle for the trophy as completely balanced and acknowledging the important work Christos Kontis did with the Cretans last season.
At the same time, AEK’s Serbian coach referred to last year’s matches and everything that has come before, making it clear that AEK is focused exclusively on the final.
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Here is what he said in detail:
Opening remarks: “I’m happy to be in Crete, a beautiful island with many AEK fans. As for the game—since you asked—it’s a match where we’ll fight for the trophy; naturally, all countries play a Super Cup before the start of the season, and I’m very happy that the Federation is organizing it this way this year, before the European matches; in other countries it’s held during the season, but the circumstances are different.
The important thing is that it’s taking place before the start of official competition. We’re healthy, the players have trained very well, but friendlies are one thing and official matches are another; tomorrow’s match starts at 50-50, we’ll have the support of at least 7,000 fans, the playing field isn’t in good condition, and the weather conditions are challenging.
OFI is an exceptional team with a very good coach, which will make our job even harder; the details will decide the match; whoever doesn’t give away easy chances will prevail, and whoever fights for every ball—I’ve conveyed this to the players as well. It’s been 30 years since AEK’s last Super Cup victory; that’s an extra motivation for us.”
On the pressure: “As Zelimir Obradović has said, what happened in the past belongs to the past; when it comes to this question, I’m focused solely on tomorrow’s match. We have extra motivation, and we’re all completely focused. Compared to last year, we kept a low profile then, and that’s what we’ll do this year as well; tomorrow’s match is a celebration of soccer.
We have to view it as a celebration; we have to give 100% and rely on a little bit of luck to win the title. It doesn’t feel like a dress rehearsal—it’s a final, and that’s how we’re treating it. The rules for the young players are what they are; there’s nothing we can do about it, we’re ready; we have players we trust completely—whether they’re young, older, Greek, or foreign—the important thing is that they’re good players.”
What does he expect from the opponent: “I speak publicly often; I’ve said that the opposing coach has done a very good job both at Panathinaikos and here—for me, he’s among the top Greek coaches right now.”
*photo source: OFI Crete F.C.
