The Double-headed Eagle started the game with Kotarski under the posts, Sastre and Baba in the full-back positions, a defensive duo of Kedziora and Colley (in his first appearance), Schwab and Kamara in the center of midfield, Murg behind Tissoundali and Taison and Despodov in attack.

And after overcoming an early surprise, when the home team were awarded a penalty but which Kotarski saved in only the third minute, PAOK took control.

The visitors overcame any irritation or frustration, and soon began to threaten. In the eighth minute, Murg’s shot missed the target, while in the 12th minute, Kovac caught Despodov , who, however, made sure to take advantage of Baba’s ball and win the penalty which also resulted in Ferrari being booked for his challenge.

In the 24th minute of the game, Schwab slotted home in familiar fashion and put PAOK in front. Then from one of the quick attacks by the visitors, Ferrari stopped Sastre illegally and after being shown a a second yellow card the Argentine was sent off, handing PAOK a numerical advantage.

Dominating from the first minute of the second half, PAOK then also scored a second goal in the 54th minute in an impressive manner. Tissoundali, Taison and Murg combined in the box, with Kamara shooting towards goal, only for his effort to strike teammate Murg before eventually finding its way into the net.

Volos responded relatively immediately, reducing the score to 2-1 in the 56th minute with Mendieta’s header, just a few seconds after Kotarski had saved an earlier effort from the same player.

However, PAOK remained focused and with an attacking attitude and with Taison’s perfect placed effort in the 60th minute, following Tissoundali’s assist, it was 3-1.

In the 66th minute, Razvan Lucescu made some substitutions, with Bakayoko coming on for Schwab (a debut for the Frenchman too), Konstantelia for Murg, Otto replacing Baba and Chalov for Tissoundali. Then, in the 69th minute, Despodov also got his name of the scorsheet, but the goal was disallowed, as the Bulgarian was adjudged to have fouled Miletic. PAOK’s attacks continued to come in waves with Kovac stopping Konstantelias on two occasions and the crossbar «stopping» Kamara’s header in the 85th minute.

The icing on the cake was reserved for PAOK in the 89th minute. In a paradoxical way, Chalov scored his first goal in a black and white shirt, after Kovac’s mistake, making the final score 4-1.

After the final whistle went and the celebrations were completed, it is time to start thinking about the next game against Galatasaray.

Team lineups:

NFC Volos: Kovac, Mygas, Miletic, Kalogeropoulos, Ferrari, Bernardou, Glavcic (Komba 72′), Asechnoun (Smelers 40′), Mendieta, Altman (Vijafanes 62′), Conte (Kostnza 62′).

PAOK: Kotarski, Baba (Otto 66′), Koley, Kedziora, Sastre, Kamara, Schwab (Bakayoko 66′), Despodov, Taison (Soretire 79′), Murg (Konstantelias 66′), Tissoundali (Chalov 66′).