Giorgos Bartzokas delivered a passionate and honest interview on SPORT24’s “Big 4”, addressing the growing pressure around him: “I’ve been targeted, especially by media outlets connected to our rivals. I’ve become the face of Olympiacos, not just as a coach but because I’ve loved this club since I was a kid. That bothers some people. But I’m lucky: I work in an environment where I feel total support from management. There’s no better place to coach in the world.”
Speaking about Nikola Milutinov, Bartzokas praised his spirit and dedication: “I didn’t speak to him directly about his renewal, but I know what he’s made of. Milutinov plays with ‘filotimo’, a Greek word that doesn’t even exist in other languages. He plays through injuries, gives everything for the team, and bonds with the environment. He’s someone you go to war with. That’s exactly what we look for.”
The coach was much harsher when asked about Filip Petrusev: “We invested a lot in him. He came from the U.S. broken physically and mentally. We helped him get back on track. But when Vezenkov returned, he completely shut down. He wouldn’t listen, walked on the court, and clearly didn’t want to be part of the team anymore. That can’t be tolerated. You must want to be here to succeed at Olympiacos.”
On Vasilije Micic, Bartzokas chose clarity: “Micic is a world-class player. But I only want players who want to be here. If you need to convince someone, you’ve already lost. I want players who stay when they’re here and wish to come when they’re not. That’s how you build something great.”
Post your comment
Visualizza commenti