Vangelis Marinakis was in Monaco to watch Olympiacos’ draw for the Europa League group stage up close, who spoke to COSMOTE TV immediately afterward about the major challenges awaiting the “Red-and-Whites.”

The club’s power broker made no secret of his ambition to go all the way, sent a message of support to José Luis Medilibar, and addressed both the team’s opponents and the difficulties the club faces in its efforts to strengthen the squad.

“We’ve played Milan before, if you recall, and we actually advanced. They’re a great team, just like Marseille and Rennes. There are big teams among our opponents, but there are also four teams that Olympiacos can beat. Olympiacos has experience, and by the end of the transfer window, it will acquire players it doesn’t have yet.

Our dream is to go all the way. We have the players, and we have the coach, who has won both the Europa League and the Conference League. History repeats itself. Everyone needs to understand that Olympiacos is a great team, but unfortunately, Greek soccer ranks low in Europe. Many talented young players don’t consider the Greek league their first choice.

People who have no idea are spouting all sorts of things. There isn’t a single top player between the ages of 23 and 26 who would want to come to Greece this June. We’re waiting for players who weren’t able to secure a transfer to a major league to come to Greece. We also have the advantage of Nottingham; that helps us with a lot of players. Everyone needs to understand what our league is like. We’re going above and beyond—both us and other teams in Greece. We paid Puerta’s buyout clause, but he’s not coming because he wants to go to Benfica. What else can you do?

Olympiacos has to play aggressively and press constantly. Pressing was the key to our success. It’s not about long balls from the goalkeeper or the center backs. We saw that last season. I believe that Medilibar knows better than any of us how to lead the team. We support him despite what’s being written; our goal is to win the league and the Europa League. Many don’t believe it, but we do. If you believe it, anything is possible,” he explained in detail.

*photo source: KYPE