Tassos Bakasetas gave an interview to “Sport24.gr,” sharing his impressions, so far as an APOEL player, about Nikos Papadopoulos, his match fitness, and the fact that he was not included in the Greek national team’s call-ups.
The 33-year-old midfielder said he was pleased with the excellent atmosphere at “Archangelos” and the impressive support from the fans, while also expressing complete confidence in the coach, with whom he has worked before on the Greek national team. He also emphasized that he is not yet at 100 percent of his potential, while showing understanding toward Ivan Jovanović.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In detail: “The atmosphere is great. APOEL is a great team with a fantastic training facility. As a team, I think—since there were last-minute additions and not all the players have been working together since preseason—we need a little time to gel better. I’m very optimistic, especially about the coach, Mr. Papadopoulos, with whom I’ve worked in the past on the national team. He’s a coach with a clear plan and great ideas. I believe that once we gel as a team and get to know each other, we’ll be a very strong unit.”
Why didn’t you stay in Greece? Why did you go to APOEL? “Life goes on; certain decisions were made, and we’re looking ahead. You can’t change what happened before, but I don’t like dwelling on the past and talking about it. I’m happy there (in Cyprus); it’s a familiar environment….”
You got off to a good start and even scored a goal…: “I’m good at adapting. I have that as a person in general, and especially in soccer. I’m not completely satisfied yet because I feel I’m still at 60%–70% of what I’m capable of. I didn’t do any preseason training; I just had individual workouts. That definitely plays a role, and I still don’t know my teammates very well. The first game came too soon.”
People here in the comments are writing, “APOEL—a legend in the league”: “People in Greece know APOEL because of its run in the Champions League. The team has been facing some problems lately, but people are truly impressed.”
On APOEL’s new effort with the hiring of Zisis Vryzas: “Yes, I held Mr. Vryzas in very high regard from his time with the national team. And now that we’ve spoken and had a few conversations, I think he’s a man who knows what needs to be done. He’s someone who’s constantly evolving, keeping up with how soccer changes year after year, and I think everything will go well.”
Was there an option to join another Greek team? “Yes, it came up, but I didn’t want to stay in Greece. I wanted to go abroad again. APOEL showed interest; we had some contact with Mr. Vryzas, and then we sat down, discussed it further, and reached an agreement with the team.”
On not being called up to the Greek national team and where he’ll watch the game: “It’s tough when you’re on the outside (ed. note: regarding the national team’s match). Even being on the bench is much more nerve-wracking. I’ll watch it at home, by myself; I like it that way. When I watch a game, I don’t want too much commotion. There’s a sense of melancholy—you always want to be on the national team. I’d kind of imagined it (i.e., that I wouldn’t be called up) because I’d been out for a long time.
Not at all (i.e., the chapter on the national team isn’t closed). The players’ biggest problem is one thing, and we don’t understand it. Because of their egos, they can’t accept that the coach is there because he plays his position in every game; he wants to do what he believes is best. He wants to play the game to win. "Those he believes are the best to help him," he specifically stated.
