FERNÁNDEZ YAGO INTERVIEW

"AEK is a great club regardless of the problems it is facing and it will reach even higher than the people think is its ceiling" pointed out Yago Fernández Prieto in his exclusive interview for the official website of the Super League. As regards his decision to play in AEK, he stated that "since the coach and Tsiartas trusted in me, I had no doubt that I made the right choice". The full interview:

 

Question by Panagiotis Koutroulas

Your team did not start very well, as it counts two defeats in an equal number of matches. Does the team feel stressed about it?

"We have no pressure because we know that we train well and that soon this will play out on the pitch. We want to win in order to remain close to the top and in the coming match with Aris we will play to win, as we did in the two previous matches. I believe that in these we played well, but we were not lucky enough to score."

 

Question by Christos Constantinidis

Do you think that you can fit the shoe of the defensive midfielder that Vaggelis Vlachos has put you in? Or should you return to your usual position where you can perform better?

"The coach believes that I can help as a midfielder and I tried to play the position as best I could. The only thing I can say is that I will do anything in my abilities, regardless of the position I am instructed to play in by the coach".

 

Question by Alexis Petritsis

Do you believe that AEK will manage to finish in the positions leading to the play offs?

"We are still at the beginning and the season will be too long. Of course we can make it because we work hard and we will give our best to do this".

 

Question by Sotiris Ziakos

Do you believe that AEK is one step up in your career?

"AEK is a great club regardless of the problems it is facing and it will always be a step up in the career of a young player".

 

Question by Romanos Livaditis

Who is the best striker you have ever played against?

"Zlatan Ibrahimović in a friendly match between Milan and Malmö. He is a tall, strong, experienced and quality striker, who also played together with a number of great players in Milan at the time. Also, Nikica Jelavić of Rangers in a Champions League preliminary phase match."

 

Question by Giorgos Koudounas

When younger, you were in major clubs (Benfica, Sporting CP, R. Madrid, Valencia, Espanyol and others), and also won the Swedish Championship. Now, you are playing in the Greek Championship. In your opinion, what is the difference between the Greek Championship and the other ones and how could one reach footballing maturity here vis-à-vis abroad?

"As compared to the Spanish Championship, the difference is that here we work a lot on physical condition, but the way the coach and the trainer work together reminds very much of the Spanish model. The Swedish Championship is very different from the Greek, because there emphasis is placed on strength and usually the team having the stronger players has the advantage."

 

Question by Dimitris Krisilias

How did you decide to come to AEK when you knew of the dire financial situation the club is in?

"I was aware of the financial problems, but when I was invited to come here for the tests, I did not need to think twice. I was here in two days! From the moment that the coach and Tsiartas trusted in me, I had no doubt that I made the right choice. I believe that all the people of the club are trying to form a "protection shield" so that players will not be affected by the financial problems."

 

Question by Dimitris Tsoutslis

Do you believe that AEK will be able to rise up to the challenge and have a good year both in the Championship and the Cup?

"You can never know what may happen, but if you ask me personally, I believe that AEK will reach even higher than the people think is its ceiling. We are all young players, we train hard, the coach looks after us and manages to bring out the best from each one of us."