Sporar: “Even Real, Barcelona and Bayern would be proud of 9X9”

Andraz Sporar gave a very special interview to the Slovenian website “planetnogomet” in which he expresses in the highest degree his enthusiasm for everything he has encountered in the first 2.5 months that he has been playing for Panathinaikos.

In the 92nd minute of the game against Aris last Sunday (October 23rd), the “Goldhead” goalscorer of the “Greens” described how intensively the Kleeblatt fans live the team’s games as absolutely crazy, emphasizing that for the special Streak that Panathinaikos has built with 9 wins in 9 games even teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern would be proud of.

The Slovenian striker spoke in detail to the website “planetnogomet”:

What he thought about the match against Aris that gave Panathinaikos their 9th win: “To be honest I don’t even remember the first 10, 20 seconds after the goal. I was in ecstasy, I was overwhelmed by incredible emotions. The stadium… exploded with excitement, the fans went crazy, everything was amazing. Crazy, madness and more madness”.

About whether he was reprimanded by the club for taking off his jersey and getting a yellow card: “No, no, of course not. I think the team wants me to take my jersey off as often as it is, if it’s an injury-time goal, of course.”

For his absence in the previous two games: “I had a problem with my ankle that wasn’t quite right. That’s why I started on the bench in the last game and didn’t come until the second half.

But I worked hard, trained through the pain and was rewarded for my effort with the quickest possible return. I couldn’t ask for more. I scored the winning goal in the first game after my injury. I really can’t complain.”

At the start of the season and 9/9: “It’s an achievement that even Real Madrid, Barcelona and FC Bayern would be proud of. At the same time, the satisfaction is huge, because Panathinaikos has not had so much success in recent years. In fact, the team was in crisis and financially. But Serbian coach Ivan Jovanovic took over and already last year the team started to play well and achieve positive results.

In the summer, the management did a good job, keeping the coach and making quality transfers. The fans have recognized the good work being done in the training sessions and are flocking to the stadium in droves. Even when we were banned in Europe, that didn’t change.

The stadium is sold out almost every time, tickets disappear within a few hours before each game. All of this gives us extra energy and we give more than we really could in that moment. At the same time, we have to admit that luck has also helped so far. There were games we won when we shouldn’t have. But that’s football…”.

Whether the team is flirting with the championship: “We are very satisfied. Both the players and the coaches and management of the team. But at the same time we know that only 9 games were played.

We’ve got a long way to go, we shouldn’t fly so high in the sky. We have to keep our feet on the ground and carry on working as we have up until now. We’re just thinking about the next game.”

For his performance: “I’m very satisfied. I scored four goals in the league and in Europe despite not playing in three games. I know I have the trust and support of everyone in the team. I train well, I play regularly.

My self-confidence is high, it couldn’t be any other way after such a winning streak. I am indeed very satisfied, but I will repeat what I said. The season has barely started. It’s only October and we still have more than half a year of strong testing ahead of us.”

For competing with his compatriots Cherin and Verbic: “Thanks to them, I had no problem adjusting to the new environment. I think the same goes for Benjamin. Adam prepared the ground well for us. At the same time, it’s important that the coach is Serb, as is one of his.” Assistants, while Sarlia is also a Croatian.

All the other team-mates are great guys too, and there’s a great atmosphere in the dressing room. I don’t feel like I’m in a foreign country at all. I felt at home from the start, which is a totally unusual feeling when you’re in another country.”

For working with Verbich in the finish with Aris: “I had to tell him … five times to give me the ball so he remembered (sb laughs). No joke. It’s important that Verbich and I have known each other for a long time and understand each other perfectly, even on the field.

We can speak in our language. When I told him to give it to me in the match with Aris, I did it in our language so none of the opponents would understand.”

Whether there is joy in the atmosphere in Athens because of the results: “This euphoria is unbelievable. As soon as I arrived at the airport, I wanted to play for Panathinaikos. When the plane landed, I found myself in a real madhouse. I was surrounded by enthusiastic fans of the city.

Athens is green and white, wherever you go, football follows you. And when you play for Panathinaikos, the Athenians know who you are. I’ve never seen anything like this in my career. Even if Sporting had crazy fans who lived for the team.

But in Athens everything is on a larger scale. People are happy about every goal, every victory. The atmosphere at the games is incredible, I’ve never experienced anything like it. Just crazy. Madness! We’re winning at the moment and of course everything’s good, but I can’t imagine what it’s like not having good results.”