Simon Banza is getting ready to make his debut as a PAOK player and spoke ahead of his new team’s match against Kalamata.
The French forward emphasized that he feels great physically and is counting down the days until his debut in the black-and-white jersey, while also discussing the goals he has set for himself ahead of this season.
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Here’s what he said in detail:
On his condition: “I feel good—better and better every day. I’m feeling more and more comfortable with myself and with the team. I want to compete, start playing, and contribute with my goals.”
His first impressions of the team: “We’re a quality team, a strong group. We’re competing in a good league; even against the ‘smaller’ teams, it’ll be tough to face them and beat them. We have good ideas about what we want to do on the field. Now it’s time to play—and for me to score. We want to build confidence; we’re a group that combines young and more experienced players. We want to do our very best and ultimately win the championship.”
The reasons he came to PAOK: “I spoke with someone—I can’t say his name—but he convinced me to come here. He convinced me about the project and the club. I also asked Soualiho Meité, who had some very positive things to say about his time here. So I talked about the league, the city, and the club, and then he gave the green light.”
On his goals with the team: “My ambitions have been the same since I started playing soccer. It’s to score goals; scoring is second nature to me. I need to build chemistry with my teammates and understand how the team plays. Overall, I want to integrate into a new team, in a new city, so that I can feel more at home as time goes on. I want to give my best, to be as good as possible for the team.”
On whether he prefers to play as the lone striker or with a partner: “It depends; I can adapt. It’s better when you have someone next to you and you’re in sync, but I can play on my own, too. It depends on the team’s formation and tactics.”
On his level of readiness: “That’s something that comes with playing time; it comes with time on the field.”
On whether the break helped him bond more closely with the team: “It’s very important to have that good relationship with your teammates, good communication, which is earned over time. I was away for a few days with the national team, as were several of my teammates. In fact, I even asked for a Greece national team jersey. This whole relationship is built day by day.”
On the match against Kalamata: “I feel good; we all feel good. We’ve worked hard with the coaching staff for this game; I hope the fans fill Toumba Stadium, that we win, and that we all go home happy.”
*photo source: simbnz
