Interview with Yannis Anastasiou, a former football player of the Greek national team, who played for such well-known teams as Ajax of the Netherlands and Anderlecht of Belgium during his career, and worked as a head coach for Panathinaikos of his country, as well as for Omonia of Cyprus last season, to AZERTAC
- Aris will face Azerbaijani representative Araz-Nakhchivan in the Conference League. How do you assess the chances in this game?
- Aris has changed its squad compared to last season. This year, the team has attracted many new players. Therefore, it is difficult to say anything about them. Everything will depend on the preparation process. As for Araz-Nakhchivan, I do not know about this team.
- Omonia, which you recently left, faced Zira in the play-off stage of the UEFA Conference League last season. How do you remember those matches (6:0, 0:1)?
- In the first match, we had a huge advantage with a score of 6:0. Although Zira is not a team that is easily defeated. However, we analyzed the opponent well and, thanks to excellent work, we won. The return match was easy for us.
- In general, how well do you know Azerbaijani football?
- I have watched the games of Qarabag, which successfully represents Azerbaijan in European cups, as well as Sumgait, Sabah and Neftchi. I know about your league. There are some interesting footballers there that I like.
- Who are the footballers you like?
- In the Qarabag squad, I can name Alexey Kashuk, Kevin Medina, Kadi Borges, Abdullah Zubir, and from Zira I can name Issa Jibrila, Pierre Zebli and Salifu Suman. These are the players who make a difference in your league.
- If we look back at the time you worked at Panathinaikos, your team faced Gabala in the UEFA Europa League play-offs in 2015. Azerbaijani team qualified for the group stage of the tournament for the first time in its history thanks to an away goal (ed.: first leg 0:0, second leg 2:2). How do you remember that match?
- To be honest, that match was 10 years ago. That's why I don't remember much.
- Valdas Dambrauskas, with whom you worked together at Omonia last season, has been appointed head coach of Sabah. What do you think, can he succeed in the Azerbaijani club?
- Valdas knows Azerbaijani football and culture. He is a coach who loves to play attacking football. I think he can be successful. But a lot also depends on the goals of the club.
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