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The coach Fernando Santos requires the Greek national football team to win in two consecutive matches – with Latvia and Israel. They will be played on October 08 and 12 respectively on Karaiskaki Stadium in Athens. The matches are part of the pre-qualification rounds for Euro 2012 and if Greece is determined to fight to participate in the league it has to show it on the field in Athens ...

The Portuguese, who was offended until recently as the players were leaving the team not saying a word to him, is now optimistic for the state of the team. “The draw with Croatia balanced the situation and made the players and the team more confident. I see it and feel it in the players. They are in the mood, they are determined and self-confident. The atmosphere is very good and they enjoy being here. They are in a very good mental state. I think that we will make a very good match and will achieve our goal. We will be...U2 on Friday,” Santos joked.

As for the system, however, Santos did not compromise. He insists on 4-4-2 instead of the players’ favourite 4-3-3...because it fits the team most according to him. In his opinion, the forthcoming match will be difficult. The players, however, will try to find the joint in Latvia’s defence and will not allow the guests to freely play the ball. He said Greece is dependent on its own merits and has not reached the level to determine the opponent's game yet. Santos relies on the support of all players in the match against Latvia, not just of the experienced ones. Due to fatigue the players are struggling because of the participation in the tournament, Ronaldo will not burden them with hard trainings. “We want the players to be strong not only physically but also mentally,” he said.

Santos revealed his faith in the Greek team in an interview on the official website of UEFA. He believes in the abilities of the Greek players and emphasizes that the national team has present and future prospects. Ronaldo is honoured to take the team after the withdrawal of Otto Rehhagel. Asked whether Greece can repeat the 2004 success again he stated that the team is currently in a period of transition. Greece, however, definitely has talents and the young players need to join the more experienced ones to set up a national team that can compete at the highest level. "To become European champions again many things have to come together", said Santos, however. As for the hopes Greece to qualify for the finals of Euro 2012 after the first two matches of the prequalification phase, the coach of the national team said:

“The results have been less than we expected. Maybe that's a bit down to me looking to change the philosophy too fast. In the match against Georgia the team conceded a very early goal, which hit us psychologically and we were unable to turn the match around despite having chances. The draw in Croatia was different, because Croatia are the group favourites. A draw stopped Croatia pulling away from us so everything is still open.”