Torosidis cherishes Olympiacos dream
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Article summary
Greece defender Vassilis Torosidis refuses to take Werder Bremen lightly and insists progress to the last 16 is "all that matters" to Olympiacos CFP tonight.
Article body
Vassilis Torosidis insists Olympiacos CFP will not take too much comfort from their 3-1 win at Werder Bremen on Matchday 2 when the teams meet again in Tuesday's Group C showdown in Athens.
'No relation'
Panagiotis Lemonis's charges need a point from their final match to qualify for the knockout stage for the first time since 1998/99 – when the Piraeus giants went on to reach the quarter-finals. Yet while Olympiacos ended a run of 31 games without an away win in the UEFA Champions League with victory against Bremen in Germany on 3 October, Torosidis claims this provides no psychological advantage. "The first game in Bremen does not mean anything in relation to this match," said the Greece defender. "The fact we won 3-1 does not increase expectations of us. Of course, there is some pressure but that is positive on occasions like this. What is important is that we are better focused than them."
Winning mentality
Olympiacos go into the game lying second in Group C, level on eight points with leaders Real Madrid CF, while Bremen are two points behind in third. Nonetheless, Torosidis is adamant that the Red and Whites will chase the victory rather than sit back and settle for the point that would seal progress to the last 16. "The only thing on my mind is Tuesday's match," the 22-year-old said. "A draw would be a good result and would be enough for us, but we will still go for the win. I think the result will depend on which team shows the greater determination."
Rave reviews
Torosidis has made great strides since joining the club from Skoda Xanthi FC last January, earning rave reviews and an international call-up for his combative and creative style of play. A defender by trade, he can operate at full-back, centre-back and in midfield – qualities which have even prompted talk of a move away from Greece. Torosidis, however, is focusing on the task in hand, saying: "I only believe things in life when I see them. The only thing that matters to me at the moment is qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League."
