“By analyzing opposing defenders myself, I have unlocked all my talent.”

Fotis Ioannidis is probably the most decorated Greek footballer. His rise has been rapid, and he has consistently shown that he is better on grass, improving all aspects of his game and showing that his ceiling is higher. A child who prefers to “talk” with his work and actions on the grass.

The Greek striker spoke exclusively to Panathinaikos Sport24 Before the Greek national team’s battles with Ireland (13/10, 21:45) and the Netherlands (16/10, 21:45) for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, two battles without tomorrow will determine the future of the Blue and White team. He will either remain in the group or activate the second chance of the Nations League to find himself on the pitches of Germany.

Ioannidis stressed, among other things, that he has now unleashed all his talent and is in very good playing condition, revealing that he always studies the opposing defenders in front of him, and is optimistic that the blue and white team will be able to achieve this. He made it to the finals and he did… Predict the winner of the Europa League and Champions League.

Interview with Nikos Seridis and Manos Nabrosidis

You are in very good shape, very good condition, you have the momentum, you have the psychology, how effective is that in your opinion in the national team that needs the goal, that is, what we lack from you to provide in these matches.

He added: “I’m really in very good shape. I feel good on the field. I believe I can help the team achieve its goals. As I said before, the goal does not come from one player alone.”

The function of the whole team has to improve in this part so that goals are scored more easily and I want to help as much as possible so that we can score more, but also the team in general in the way we play.

Footy, I want to ask you a more specific question. What has changed about Fotis Ioannidis in his playing style and do we see the improved form this season?

“Well, I think constant work and matches help a lot. It’s about the matches, it’s about confidence, I’m finding my feet on the field and I think I’m improving match by match, year after year. Like everyone in our business every day, so I also found some ways and unleashed all my talent “

The national team’s style of play in relation to what you learned at Panathinaikos with your teammates helps you be in the right places to be able to execute.;

“Definitely, it is difficult to adapt to the national team, for all of us, not just for me, even for a coach who comes here and in one week tries to get 22 different players to work together, which is really very difficult.

This is our mission and I think the level of all the kids as well as the coach is very high so that we can find ourselves this week and get the results we need.

“It’s really one of the most difficult things and a challenge for us every time we come here, because we have to find a way to help the national team and I think we all want that and we will succeed in the end.”

You live the daily life of the national team. Do you give the team hope to qualify? It is clear that if you do not give, you will not be here, but from what I have seen of the development of this team.

“I am a very optimistic person and I believe that if we do not believe in our ability to do it, there will be no point in being on the field. We will give up and not play.”

It is our commitment but not only that, we also believe in ourselves that we are capable of success because we have shown continuous improvement and this has more to do with the way we think and the mentality of the team and I believe that day after day and here in the national team we are finding our feet and improving.”

Have you studied the Ireland defenders and the Netherlands defenders individually on how to deal with them? Regardless of the coach’s instructions, if you “research” it a little more on your own.

“Of course. We all do a personal analysis of the players we deal with, the players we will face on the pitch as opponents, and that is part of our job.

Just as I came here prepared for some questions, when I enter the field I am prepared to face specific opponents and this will be done now, with the help of the technical staff, in these days until the match.”

I’ll take you a little further. If we succeed, what is the “key” to this team’s success? Because this team hasn’t heard much in recent years.

“As I said before, the mentality of this team is No. 1. We have to face harsh criticism, which sometimes we deserve and sometimes we don’t, but I have the impression that we can cope because we all have confidence and will. Personality is important at this level and I am confident that we will succeed.” “.

This national team deserves to go to the European Nations Cup;

“We have shown big leaps in progress. Whether it is worth it or not, we will see on the field.

This cannot be said in words. We have to show it, and if we succeed it will be very important for us personally and for the whole of Greece. I think and I have the impression that we deserve it because there is improvement every day.

Every time we come here we find new things and work to improve them.”

And one last question to get out of the way. Who will win the Champions League and who will win the Euroleague?;

“The Champions League is in football, right? Because there is also basketball. I hope Panathinaikos wins the Euroleague, of course the team needs some time to gather all these stars they have acquired.

Now for the Champions League, I think Manchester City has the advantage.”