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‘A win of this magnitude has brought APOEL great joy’
The main man: APOEL’s Brazilian star Ailton has been on fire in Europe this season, scoring several crucial goals AS optimistic football supporters go, APOEL fans are certainly right up there.
They always seem to have a deep-lying belief that their team can go beyond even the most unreasonable expectations and at times even expect them to do the unexpected.
Despite not being drawn against European giants such as Barcelona, Manchester United or AC Milan, even the most optimistic APOEL supporter would not have expected their side to sit proudly joint top of Group G with former Champions League winners Porto after the opening round of games on Tuesday, ahead of experienced European campaigners Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St Petersburg.
APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic knows the danger of players and fans alike getting carried away after their 2-1 win against Zenit in Nicosia, especially with an away trip to the notoriously difficult Donetsk coming up, followed by back to back matches against Europa League winners Porto.
However, even the very measured Serbian made no attempt to hide his joy at his side’s historic achievement in recording their first ever win in the group stages of the Champions League.
“We are delighted to have beaten such a quality side, a side for which we have a tremendous amount of respect. Obviously a win of this magnitude has brought great joy to my players.
“With their attitude on the pitch tonight, they deserved this victory,” Jovanovic told reporters after the game.
The APOEL coach has always been a great believer in the capabilities of his squad in Europe. Speaking before the draw for the group stage earlier this month, Jovanovic said that his side would not be in the competition simply to make up the numbers, while in the run up to Tuesday’s match, the 49-year-old challenged his team to prove that they belong among the European elite.
However, the Nicosia side showed once again that they are a force to be reckoned with against any opponent in Europe by staging a brilliant comeback after going a goal down in the 63rd minute.
APOEL may have created the better opportunities in the first half, but they sprung to life ten minutes after conceding, with two goals in three minutes from Brazilians Gustavo Manduca and Ailton to leave Zenit reeling.
“APOEL were as good as I thought – fast and aggressive, but not unbeatable. It was disappointing to concede two goals after we had scored first,” Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti said.
Ailton has often been the key man for the Cyprus champions, scoring the goal that propelled APOEL to the group stages, as well as slotting home the winner against Zenit to give his side their first three points in the competition.
Player of the Season in Cyprus last year, Ailton has carried forward his domestic form from last season into this year’s Champions League, with five goals in six appearances so far.
“All the players who were on the pitch today stood out. For us, it is a great result and a very important goal for me. It was a good feeling,” he said.
