The lack of concentration Panathinaikos showed in defense during the first half is what cost the team in the game against Barcelona, according to Argyris Pedoulakis.
"FC Barcelona is better and they won the game fair. We lacked concentration, especially in defense. Our opponents scored 44 points and it's a lot for one half. Huertas did a great deal of damage to us. In the second quarter we fell behind in scoring. In the second half we changed our tactic in defense. We tried to exclude Huertas of Barcelona's game. All players did a great effort in defense and through this defense we should have scored some easy points in fastbreak. We are happy with our effort, but not from our concentration in defense. When you are not focused playing against teams like this you pay for it".
Pedoulakis was asked about the small number of fouls his team committed in the fourth quarter: "We didn't foul a lot because we were changing in defense. Bramos and Maciulis did excellent job at the low post. Better than our tall guys did in the first half. The truth is that we could have committed more fouls. We could have cut their way in fastbreak a couple of times. The players get it, but sometimes the instinct prevails. During the first five minutes we hurried in offense and we made some bad choices. Especially when Diamantidis was at the bench. It was our mistake. Of course our bigger problem is our defense during the first half. We find our rhythm through defense".
Xavi Pascual stated: "We are happy for the victory, but I would like to congratulate Panathinaikos for its effort and for the fans! Offensively and defensively the game began well for us. We passed the ball and we had the control in defense. In the second half everything changed. Nevertheless we remain a mature offensively team and we were able to meet the demands of the game. It's still early to say that the first place is "lock". It's just the fifth game in a series of 14, so it's too early to say anything".
