Marko Nikolic: We need to use the energy from the supporters in the stands

PAOK FC are the opponents on Thursday evening at the Groupama Arena in Budapest. The match kicks off at 18:55pm and we spoke to manager Marko Nikolic before the important game.

"There is totally no connection to the game two weeks ago and the one now. You cannot look at that match and think we will win this one. It is time for the opponents, media and everyone to get used to the fact that we are playing at this level. We are not here to just play our part and just be another team in the group, but that we want to compete. PAOK are a very good side and I consider them to be favourites as they have quality players that can change a game in a second. Vidi's players at the same time are fighters and competitors and we will do all we can to get a good result. I am pleased that we have sold out all the tickets, but I want to repeat that we need their support, not just in the Europa League, but in all the other competitions that we compete in. We need to be intelligent and take advantage of the energy provided from the stands. However, we must not get carried away by it. A draw perhaps mathematically would be a good result, but we must not play for that and only a win. I have many Greek friends who are visiting us in Budapest, so I wish them a nice time here and hope that the match will provide them less happiness. What Crvena Zvezda did by beating Liverpool 2-0 on Tuesday, which as a Serb I am pleased about, also confirmed that football is not only about money and business, but that passion continues to be important. We must not draw any parallels with that game but only that Zvezda played a similar style that we sometimes play" - commented manager Marko Nikolic.