Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Thursday, January 15, 2026, 08:38 / Updated Thursday, January 15, 2026 08:39
PAOK, the team coached by Răzvan Lucescu, eliminated the champion Olympiakos (2-0) from the “quarters” of the Greek Cup on Wednesday evening.
Before the “quarter” with Olympiakos, in the Cup, Răzvan Lucescu said that he likes to play such matches: “It is a great motivation for me to face Mr. Mendilibar and every duel with him is a challenge. You know I like to play such games”.
Răzvan Lucescu claims that every team has ups and downs
Răzvan beat “Mr. Mendilibar” at his home, 2-0, and now he wants more. He also wants to blow his seat as leader in the championship. Asked if this win means anything in the title race as well, the PAOK coach insisted that the two teams are separated in the standings by just one point and that it means nothing at this stage of the competition.
“A difference of one point is nothing, but it's too early to think about the play-offs. In a program like this, one point doesn't matter. In this period, what we have to do is to be patient and prepare properly. Every team has ups and downs. Good, average or bad periods”, pointed out Lucescu jr.
Răzvan Lucescu: “The team has fighting spirit and never gives up”
He insisted that “managing the players and the injuries that could come up and going further in Europe will affect us. The extra games add tension.
We have to look at everything calmly. One of the most complicated football environments is the Greek one. Many emotions. One day, depending on the result, you're in one situation, and the next, in a different situation.”
As a conclusion, PAOK's coach pointed out that “our schedule was more difficult than any other team's, but we are in all competitions and that shows that the team has a fighting spirit and never gives up. And against Olympiakos he won the team spirit, confidence, determination and mentality of the players“.
