Roberto Lago is very familiar with both APOEL and Celta, and, on the occasion of tonight’s match between the Spanish team and Omonia at the GSP, he spoke to the Spanish media about his experience in Cyprus.
The former “blue-and-yellows” defender spoke about the fans’ passion, the derbies against Omonia, and winning the championship with APOEL, while also offering his own advice to Celta fans in Nicosia.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Here are his comments in detail
On his experience in Cyprus and the fans’ passion: “APOEL is sort of like the Real Madrid of Cyprus, and Omonia is the city’s second-biggest club. They’re the two biggest clubs in the country. People there live and breathe soccer. They go to work, and all they can think about is when the weekend will come so they can go to the stadium. The passion is uncontrollable. During derby weeks, fans show up at training sessions with smoke bombs, and the atmosphere in the city is electric.”
On his decision to play for APOEL: “My time there was amazing. At first I was scared and didn’t want to go, but the coach convinced me because we’d be playing in Europe. I wanted an experience abroad, but I was hesitant. In the end, I didn’t want to leave. Those were some of the best years of my career, as I won two league titles and played in the Champions League group stage.”
On the derbies against Omonia: “In my first year, the title was on the line in a match against Omonia, who had nothing to play for in terms of points. And yet, they packed the stadium, didn’t allow our fans to attend, and created a hostile atmosphere—one of the toughest I’ve ever encountered. In fact, our wives had to watch the game on TV at a hotel. Although we fell behind, we managed to turn the game around and clinch the championship on our archrival’s home turf. It was unbelievable.”
On Celta’s match tonight at GSP: “Of all the away games Celta has left to play, this one might seem the most manageable on paper, but Omonia will bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the field. Sometimes, those factors alone are enough to cause you trouble. Celta is the superior team and will likely dictate the pace as the game goes on, but absolute concentration is required.”
To the Celta fans who traveled to Nicosia: “Avoid entering the occupied areas so as not to get into trouble. The most beautiful part of Nicosia is Ledra Street in the Old City, where there are excellent restaurants to spend the afternoon.”
