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Claudio Ranieri: I am not a magician

11 October 2014 / 17:10:16  GRReporter
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At a special press conference, the coach of the Greek national football team Claudio Ranieri asked for more time to become acquainted with the players and their talents. According to him, they also need time to get to know him. "Most did not have rhythm in their feet in the first match against Romania. Things have improved and everything is better", he said.

Speaking about today's rival of the Greeks, Finland, Ranieri said: "Finland is a strong team and plays organized football. I quite like Mixu Paatelainen. I met him in St. Petersburg and I was very impressed. His technique is successful and this can be seen on the field.

As regards whether he is thinking of changing the system and playing with two strikers: "It is most difficult to change the mentality. The essential things for Greece happened with deepening defence and counterattacks. It is important to change some things. But this does not happen suddenly. We need a lot of work. How can this happen by training only three days before the match. One has to work a lot. It is important to have a good relationship with the players. Finland plays very well, but for us the result now is important. It will be a tough game for both teams".

As regards what different things he expects to see from the players during the game, Ranieri said: "I would like to see the team playing with greater cohesion, faster, with power and passion. Finland closed roads. If we play slowly, we will not have the opportunity to score. I want to see the team playing in an organized way and attacking. At the last match Finland won 70% of personal challenges. I want us to win 51%. This is what I want to see".

Asked about the comparison between Romania and Finland, the manager said: "We're talking about different teams and different game. Finland is more organized. Romania scored a quick goal from a penalty kick and then we played with more players. They played defensively and it was hard for us to find a solution. Today we are playing against an organized team that has a different style".

Ranieri confirmed that Vassilis Torosidis is ready for battle. "I cannot change the system now. It is difficult in general when a new coach comes, I have had no opportunity of seeing the team in friendly matches. Everything will change slowly, but this is not likely to happen in such a short period. I'm not a magician".

Greece plays with Finland today at 21:45 in a match of the second round of qualifications for the EURO 2016 in the sixth group.

After the loss to Romania at the Karaiskakis Stadium, the goal tonight is only victory that will open the way for ranking and will lift the spirit before the next match on Tuesday against Northern Ireland.

Ranieri is facing a lot of problems (Christodoulopoulos, Kone, Papadopoulos, Holebas), but what matters for everybody is for the Greek team to leave the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki as the winners.

Vassilis Torosidis who was injured is well and has participated in the training. Ranieri included him in the lineup, and the surprise is expected to be Stafilidis, who will possibly start at the left side of the defence instead of Yanoulis. In the centre of defence are Papastatopoulos, Manolas, Maniatis and Tahtsidis, while Salpingidis, Samaras and Mitroglou or Athanasiadis are playing in the attack.

Tags: football national team of Greece Claudio Ranieri Finland qualifications
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