First step achieved
The “Double-Headed Eagle” did their duty and won in packed Toumba, offering a victory (along with the whole gate income of the game) to Greece in those trying, difficult days. It was very hard-fought win, but PAOK seem ready to seal the deal next Wednesday in Switzerland.
PAOK were rather mute at the start and it was FC Basel who wasted the first opportunity, through Stocker who fired wide just before the 15th minute.
From that point on, PAOK gained more possession and prevailed on the pitch. Fernando Varela came close to breaking the deadlock with two headed efforts, as well José Alberto Cañas with a powerful shot following an excellent combination. The Spaniard didn’t stop there though.
The PAOK midfielder made it 1-0 in the 32nd minute with a long-range stunner. The scoreline remained intact until the interval, despite efforts from Dimitris Limnios and André Vieirinha to extend the lead.
In the second half, Răzvan Lucescu’s troops started strongly and wasted two glorious opportunities. Omlin kept his team in the match, denying Maurício and Limnios.
The match pace dropped as time went by, but PAOK remained in control. They doubled their lead in the 80th minute with Aleksandar Prijović who collaborated with Limnios and beat Omlin with an astonishing side shot.
Two minutes later though, the home side were punished harshly. A deflected cross landed at the feet of Ajetis who reduced distances to 2-1 from close range.
Line-ups:
PΑΟΚ: Paschalakis, Matos, Varela, Crespo, Vieirinha , Cañas, Maurício, Jabá (72’ El Kaddouri), Pelkas , Limnios (90’ Shakhov), Prijović.
FC Basel: Omlin, Frei, Zuffi, Stocker, Riveros, Suchý, Oberlin (62’ Kalulu), Dié, Balanta, Petretta (44’ Kaiser), Ajeti (90’ Bua).
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