Koke: PAOK Match "The Last Of Our Lives"

Aris captain Sergio Koke says he will treat his side’s mid-week Greek Cup tie with PAOK as “the last game of his life”.

The significance of the clash is not lost on the Spanish-born striker, who has also recently expressed his desire to play for the Greek national team in the future.

With his side having struggled to find consistency this season under manager Enrique Hernandez, Greece’s cup competition might just take on added significance for the Thessaloniki side.

The fact that they are about to face city rivals PAOK only increases the importance of the match, pointed out by the 25 year-old in an interview with radio station Sporting News 98.7.

“I know what a match against PAOK means,” Koke said. “And I say this because I have been part of the Aris family for many years.

“Whether we like it or not this match is already in our minds.

“I think we’re ready to give our best.

“We will play as if it is the last game of our lives.

“We want to leave the Toumba as winners and we know what we have to do to accomplish that.”

However, Koke and his teammates will need to place a more immediate focus on their league encounter with Ergotelis on Sunday.

Hernandez’s side lost their last league encounter away against Levadiakos - a result that ended their unbeaten streak - and they will be keen to return to winning ways at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium.

“This is a very important game, one that we must win for several reasons” Koke said.

“We respect our opponent, we know they are very dangerous away from home but the result depends entirely on our performance.

“We want to make our fans happy, who we disappointed last week but also to give ourselves a psychological lift ahead of the PAOK match.”

Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com