Pregame
Kick Off
Half Time
Goals
Penalty
Substitution
Corners
Offside
Opportunity
Barshot
Comment
Yellow Card
Second Yellow Card
Red card
Missed Penalty
PAOK qualify despite defeat
PAOK produced a creditable performance at the Anoeta Stadium, creating and missing many opportunities to both take the lead and later to equalize, and this cost them significantly, as they were defeated 2-0 by Real Sociedad in the final matchday of the League Phase of the 2024-25 UEFA Europa League. It was a defeat that ultimately did not cost them anything, however, as PAOK qualified for the knockout stages of the competition.
Razvan Lucescu lined up the team with three defensive midfielders in the center, in the shape of Schwab and Ozdoev and Kamara in front of them and the visitors took control of the match from the beginning.
After just four minutes PAOK threatned as Kamara found himself with a shooting chance only to be denied by home goalkeeper Marrero. Shortly afterwards in the 11th minute, Brandon Thomas next found himself in a good position, but his attempted shot was blocked for a corner.
In the 34th minute, PAOK had another great opportunity with Kamara crossing for Despodov , but the Bulgarian was unable to convert.
The visitors only really came under threat in the 43rd minute, when Oscarson headed the ball home to open the scoring against the run of play, with the teams heading into the dressing rooms at half-time with the score at 1-0 to the hosts.
In the second half, PAOK came out strong again and threatened to grab an equalizer but Despodov was again unable to score from an advantageous position. The home team responded immediately, again with the head of Oscarson as he made it 2-0 in the 48th minute.
From that point on, the game opened up, with both teams having chances at both ends, but the score did not change.
Baba, Konstantelias, and Chalov all had opportunities that they did not take advantage of, while on the other hand, Kotarski and the post stopped the Basque club and the 2-0 scorleine remained unchanged until the final whistle.
PAOK now await to learn their opponents in the knockout stages, which will be determined via Friday’s draw between Ajax and FCSB.
Team lineups:
Real Sociedad: Marrero, Gomez (80′ Lopez), Aguero, Elustondo, Odriozola (46′ Martin), Thubimendi (63′ Olasagasti), Mendeth, Marin, Becker, Barenetcea (73′ Kubo), Oscarson (73′ Oyarthabal)
PAOK: Kotarski, Baba, Otto, Michailides, Kedziora, Schwab, Ozdoev (63′ Konstantelias), Kamara, Taison, Despodov (71′ Shoretire), Brandon (71′ Chalov).
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