This encounter could very well serve as an example of the importance of a central forward. Back from a long time on the sidelines, Stefanos Athanasiadis needed just one chance to send the ball at the back of the net.

He collected the ball in the 15th minute and with his trade-mark clean shot proved he is the top Greek striker in one-touch finishing. This goal unlocked the game for PAOK and boosted them with the self-confidence to produce the kind of football Igor Tudor wants them to. Possession game, lots of passing, ball low and pressure high up the pitch.

This last characteristic led to the second goal. PAOK players recovered the ball in Veria’s half, Dimitris Pelkas danced his way around Nastos and Edjenguélé before passing to Róbert Mak who “executed” Kantimiris from up close. The Veria goalkeeper had no answer to Alexandros Tziolis’s close range shot either in the 57th minute, as the Greek midfielder was left unmarked at the heart of the defence.

Despite conceding three goals, Kantimiris was the best player of Veria. He denied Mak in the 31st, 54th and 56th minute, Stelios Kitsiou in the 35th and Erik Sabo in the 75th minute and prevented an embarrassing scoreline for the visitors.

With the goals being scored relatively early, Tudor was presented with the opportunity to manage his troops. He called Athanasiadis to the bench in the 58th minute, as the Greek striker was coming from a long lay-off, and gave minutes to Dimitar Berbatov in order to prep him for the challenging schedule ahead.

Veria could only master a few good minutes after the interval. They had a shot on woodwork, while Robin Olsen saved two headers and a shot in the 63rd minute.

Veria: Kantimiris, Malón, Marangos, Edjenguélé, Nastos, Siontis (46’ Ibrahim), Vergonis, Youssouf, Nazlidis (68’ Kajkut), Abdpim, Majewski (46’ Kola)

PΑΟΚ: Olsen, Tzavellas, Costa, Vítor, Kitsiou, Leovac (46’ Konstantinidis ), Tziolis, Kace (73’ Sabo), Pelkas , Mak, Athanasiadis (58’ Berbatov)