Everything still wide open
In a match full of intensity and passion, but without many scoring opportunities but a good tempo, it was Midtjylland who found a goal to win the first leg clash with PAOK in the UEFA Europa Conferece League Play Offs, leaving the tie wide open ahead of the second leg at the Toumba next week.
PAOK had clearly done their homework for this match. Evidence of this was that Midtjylland, who are an attacking side, ended the game having created just three scoring opportunities.
The Double-headed Eagle, on the other hand, also withstood the pressure from the Danes, found spaces, but did not have good options or decisions for their final passes and in their execution, essentially wasting their possession of the ball that was marginally in their favor, as well as the control of the match for long spells.
In the first 20 minutes of the match, PAOK dominated and was the first to threaten with a good shot by Sidcley in the 6th minute, while two minutes later A. Zivkovic also saw home ‘keeper Olafsson make an important save from his shot.
Two minutes later, however, Midtjylland took the lead. Evander found Anderson with a ball in behind the PAOK defense and the latter beat Paschalakis to make it 1-0.
Until the half-time break, PAOK were the team who tried to create, and they had an important opportunity to score in the 43rd minute but Tsingaras failed to find the target with a header.
The second half started with an opportunity for Midtjylland, with Paschalakis producing a good save to deny Isaksen in the 49th minute. The two coaches then began to play their cards by bringing fresh players into the game, but still the chances in front of goal remained at a premium.
PAOK continued to have much of the ball at their feet, and they tried to send balls into the penalty area, but despite several half-chances, a goal was not forthcoming. In fact, the hosts amost made it 2-0 in the 84th minute but substitute Charles’s shot hit Paschalakis’ crossbar an bounced to safety.
The 1-0 result then still leaves everything open in the tie ahead of the second leg in Thessaloniki in seven days.
Team lineups:
Midtjylland (Henriksen): Olafsson, Dalsgaard, Sviatshenko, Zuninho, Anderson, Onietika, Evander (60 ‘Meger), Deer (60’ Paulinho), Isaacsen (69 ‘Charles), Brumado (69’ Lido), ).
PAOK (Lucsescu): Paschalakis, Lyratzis, Ingason, Crespo, Sidcley (79′ El Kaddouri), Tsingaras, Schwab (69′ Vieirinha), A. Zivkovic, Augusto (79′ Soares), Mitrita (46′ Biseswar), Akpom (84′ Colak).
