Losada: “We remain unbeaten, and that is very important”

Following the victory over Karmiotissa, Hernán Losada spoke at the post-match press conference about the importance of securing three points, the team’s attacking efficiency, the defensive areas that need improvement, and Connor Goldson’s return to action following his heart surgery.

Regarding the victory, the team’s attacking play and the areas for improvement:

“I’m extremely happy with the three points at home and the fact that we scored four goals. I think we played very, very well in the first 20 minutes, but then we allowed the opponent back into the game with two goals that we could have avoided. Especially for the goals that made it 2-1 and 2-2, we needed to be better positioned. We knew that their left winger likes to cut inside and shoot with his right foot, so we had to defend that situation better and force him out wide.

“We scored from set pieces again, although I had the feeling that they knew our movements and what we had prepared during the week. I don’t know why, and I need to find out. Fortunately, we scored from that corner towards the end of the first half and went into the break with the lead.

“When you have the advantage against this type of opponent, the game opens up. You have to take more risks, and that creates more opportunities. We were also a little lucky when the score was 3-2, because they had a big chance that they failed to convert.

“Both penalties were correctly awarded by the referee. But when we made it 4-2, I felt we should have scored a fifth, sixth or even seventh goal. That is what we are missing: efficiency. I’m happy with the number of chances we create, but less happy with the opportunities we allow our opponents to have.

“We scored four goals last week, three today, and we could have scored many more. Karmiotissa are not an easy team. They lost two games against good opponents in the very last minute. For us, the game was effectively over after the 75th or 80th minute.

“I’m happy that our next game is on Sunday, which gives us time to recover. Players are returning from injury, and the team is becoming more competitive. There is greater competition during the week and, when you look at the positives and negatives, the list of positives keeps growing.

“After six matches, we are competing for a place in the top three or four, and we remain unbeaten, which is very important. You develop a winning habit and get used to winning. Even when you are not playing your best football, you keep winning and scoring. That is the most positive thing tonight.”

Regarding the team’s attacking output and the different goalscorers:

“As a coach, I’m always talking to Ike, Adam and all our attacking players. I would be worried if the team were not creating chances or getting into goalscoring positions.

“We are creating plenty of opportunities, but we are not being efficient enough. The most important thing is that we are creating them. We create chances in transition when we win the ball back and look to play vertically, as well as from corners and set pieces. Even from a throw-in, against a team defending with a high line, we tried to exploit the space in behind.

“It is also positive that we have different goalscorers, with Marquinhos, Brandon, Alen, Skrinić and Dani all getting on the scoresheet. That is definitely a positive.”

Regarding the eight goals conceded in six matches:

“Both explanations are correct. I would like us to concede fewer goals. The only match in which we kept a clean sheet was against the reigning champions, last season’s champions, at our home stadium.

“I believe that when we really commit to defending as a team and are prepared to put our bodies on the line, we have shown in the past that we can do it. In games like this, however, I believe you sometimes have to take more risks.

“As long as we score four goals, I don’t have a problem with conceding two, but that doesn’t mean I like conceding goals. I don’t like conceding one or two. We have conceded eight in six matches, and if we want to compete with the bigger and better teams, we must improve defensively as well.”

Regarding Connor Goldson’s return following heart surgery:

“We are extremely happy to have him back. What he has achieved is truly remarkable. We are talking about surgery that lasted more than 12 hours, and it was not just any operation. It was heart surgery. I don’t think many people expected him to return so soon.

“It is now mid-October, and he has missed only five matches, in addition to our European campaign. All the credit goes to him and his resilience. He is an example to us of how to bounce back from adversity and believe in yourself. He worked extremely hard for three months, and a little longer. When he received the green light, he was in such good physical condition that he was able to return immediately.

“I simply told him to remain calm on the ball. I wanted us to finish the game in possession, making the opposition run after the ball and defending through possession. That was my first instruction.

“The second concerned his leadership, organisation and communication. I wanted our defensive line to stay as high as possible rather than dropping towards our own penalty area. I needed him to organise and push the back line forward as quickly and as high as possible, keeping the team compact.

“From now on, we have another soldier in the squad, ready to fight and compete. We are all happy to have him with us, both on and off the pitch.”

Press Office
Apollon Limassol