Claudio Giráldez Prepares for Challenging Clash Against PAOK

Claudio Giráldez recognizes that the upcoming elimination match against PAOK will differ significantly from their previous encounter in the group stage. He remarks, “We understood that regardless of which of the two teams we faced, it would be a challenging match. The first leg will take place in a historic and complex setting, as PAOK has not lost at home in any competition this year. This situation is quite different from our previous match in the second week of the group stage.”

He expresses hope for a similar outcome, stating, “I wish we could achieve a comparable result in both matches, but it will be quite complex and difficult. We are in an elimination round now, which changes the dynamics entirely.”

On the absence of Konstantellias from PAOK, Giráldez notes, “They will likely field Tayson or another player. They possess dangerous individuals with excellent wings and strong finishers. This is a very cohesive team, with many players having worked together for a long time.”

Describing the difficulty of playing in PAOK’s stadium, he adds, “The context and environment are quite challenging. Real Betis recently visited and lost 2-0. They have secured victories in tough venues, including Lille’s ground. If I’m not mistaken, we are the only team that has managed to win against them.”

Giráldez emphasizes the need for peak performance to succeed, stating, “We will strive to present our best version, but for now, our focus is on LaLiga, as we have a couple of weeks before European competition resumes.”

Regarding the advantage of playing the return leg at Balaídos, he concludes, “We will see. It is crucial that we perform well in the first leg to capitalize on that advantage. In such a setting, concentrating on the first match will be vital, and hopefully, we can deliver a strong performance there.”