AEK and Levski Sofia face off on Tuesday night (10:00 p.m.) in the Bulgarian capital in their first match of the Champions League playoffs.

AEK coach Marko Nikolić in remarks made during a press conference, emphasized that his team must live up to expectations and demands in order to achieve its goal of qualifying for the group stage, while making it clear that there are no excuses and that all he cares about is getting the desired result.

Here is what he said in detail:

“We’re here, three months after our last official match against Olympiacos. We have a very important match ahead of us, and I’m excited. The big games are coming up.

It’s certainly not ideal that we’re facing a team that has played ten matches, while we’ve played just one. We’re facing a team with international players and a good coach—a team that plays fast and excels on the counterattack as well as on set pieces.

We have an experienced and talented group of players at AEK. We must live up to expectations and demands. The goal is to qualify for the Champions League group stage.

From what I’ve seen, we have 5–6 players who have played a few minutes in the Champions League. My players deserve to experience this. We’ll fight hard, and in six days we’ll give it our all in Athens to bring the Champions League to Greece, since we’re the only team that can do it.”

On Levski and the “form” of the two teams: I spoke with the players a few days ago. We have 5–6 players who have played some minutes in the Champions League. We’re an experienced team in the Europa League and the Conference League, but not in the Champions League. We’re up against a team we must respect—one that put an end to Ludogorets’ dominance. They have good players, but we’re not looking for excuses—we’re looking for solutions.

It’s not easy to be in top form right now. What I can promise is that we’ll give it our all on the field to succeed, and I believe we’ll make it happen.

My players are in good shape. Being in shape is one thing; being in top form is another, and that comes from playing official matches. We’re in good shape and have no injuries. We’re absolutely ready for the match.

On whether he’s satisfied with his team: “As coaches, we always want more, but for me, my players are the best in the world. They have the advantage of pace, but we’ll try to neutralize that. I’m completely satisfied with the team I have.”

On whether he agrees that his team is the favorite: “Whether we’re the favorites or not is up to the fans and supporters. I’m a professional coach and I don’t see it that way. I respect our opponents. The Levski players work hard and won the championship last year. How can anyone gauge the odds? Budgets don’t determine the outcome of matches either.”

By that logic, we’d be in fourth place, but we won the league and knocked out teams in Europe that were much better funded than us. I won’t make the mistake of underestimating them. They’re in their best form in the last decade.

The Conference League is one level, and the Champions League is another. At Anderlecht, we weren’t good in the first half, but we had a decent second half. We have to take it minute by minute and play by play. It’s a matter of how we come out to impose our style of play. We mustn’t let them dictate the game.

Yes, there are two teams, but we’re focusing on how we’ll impose our style of play in front of thousands of Levski fans and 2,000 AEK fans.”

On Georgiev (due to his Bulgarian heritage) and the newly acquired player from Levski, Grujic: “Georgiev is very talented; he plays two positions for us and is very important to the team. We’re happy to have him on our team. Grujic is an exceptional person and a champion with us. I’m glad he signed here. I think last year helped him get back to a high level. After his first few games with us, we hope everything goes well for him.”

“I’m only interested in the result. Really. Nothing else matters to me. The season has just begun. I believe in the team, in our signings, and in our style of play, which will continue to develop. I have great confidence in the players. The season is very long, but right now, only advancing will make me happy.”

Rota: “We all know how important these games are; we have to give it our all.”

Lazaros Rota spoke on behalf of the “Enosis” players at the press conference, emphasizing that everyone on the team knows how important these games are and adding that everyone must be focused and give it their all.

Here is what he said in detail:

Regarding the first official match, which didn’t go well, and whether that might make him and his teammates even more determined to take on this new challenge: “I don’t think it does any good to dwell on past games; I believe every game is unique. The Champions League is a motivation—all the guys have dreamed of it since they were kids, every player has his own motivation; together with the coach’s game plan, we’re working hard just as we have been for a long time, and I hope we can show that on the field and succeed.”

On motivation and whether it’s grown now that they’ve taken the field and seen the stars: “When you’re a kid, you dream of hearing the Champions League anthem, of playing in this tournament, which is the biggest one. All the players know how important these two games are; they mark the start of the season—it begins this way—so we have to stay focused, dedicated, and give it our all for tomorrow’s game and the one after that.”

*photo source: KYPE