AEL’s press officer, Nikolas Leventis, spoke to “SUPERSPORT 104” about all matters concerning the “Lions,” a few days before the start of the new season.
On preseason training and the start of the season: “A completely new team. We’ve almost finished our summer training; all that’s left is the friendly against Aris, and we’re counting down to our season opener against Anorthosis. It’s a tough opener against a great team. We see that our team is reaching a higher level of readiness than we expected this season. For us, what matters is getting off to a winning start and, little by little, having the team begin to showcase its strengths on the field.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
On the roster: “As for the composition of the roster and how each player was selected, that’s something the coaching staff and the planning team are aware of. In friendly matches, conceding goals is actually a good thing because it allows you to correct weaknesses and fill gaps. I agree regarding the midfield and attack, where the team has clearly brought in quality players. It’s up to the coach to manage his roster. The coach feels he has a full and complete squad. I think there’s an issue of homogeneity, and that’s normal. The field is a mirror.”
What to expect from this year’s AEL: “What the fans want is to see the team play good soccer. We—the management, the coaching staff, and the players—have a duty to deliver that to the fans. They should be able to watch the team and enjoy the game regardless of the result.”
On whether there will be further moves to strengthen the team: “There are spots available on the roster. We’re considering strengthening the defensive line. Certainly, we’ve exceeded the budget on some contracts; the budget has increased compared to last year, but not by much. For our part, we’re doing everything we can to be as consistent as possible. It’s important to maintain a balance in the locker room. Not carrying a financial burden is very important. It also gives you the ability to “take a few risks.” There are spots available; if Martins needs something, we’ll give it to him.”
Regarding season tickets: “They’re not at the level or in the numbers we’d like. On the one hand, we consider this normal because there’s some disappointment, and the fans are waiting to see the team. On the other hand, it’s the duty of all fans to support the team by purchasing a season ticket. We’re far from reaching our season ticket sales goal.”
