Razvan Lucescu fielded a team with just three changes compared to the previous game against Asteras in Tripoli, with Baba, Chalov and Despodov taking starting jerseys instead of Sastre, Tissoudali and Murg.

PAOK started the match with the clear goal of taking control and dominating and they achieved it from the first moments. Just 90 seconds into the game, Andrija Zivkovic surged into the penalty area from the left, sent over a great cross and the onrushing Despodov arrived on cue to sent the ball into the net for the opening goal.

The quick goal allowed PAOK to take control the match without taking any risks, with Lucescu’s team having three more great chances until the break which could have extended their lead.

Another cross from A. Zivkovic flashed dangerously across hte face of goal in the 24th minute, and then in the 37th minute the Serbian winger hit the post when firing in a shot from a wide position, with Odoa catching up and clearing it off the line as it rebounded and rolled across the line, while in the 40th minute Konstantelias troubled the home team’s defense, passed to Zile, who missed with a shot on the move.

For their part, RFS registered two long-range shots, but Kotarski easily dealt with both, and the 1-0 scoreline in favor of the visitors remained comfortably intact at the break.

PAOK entered the second half with the same mentality and in the 59th minute managed to essentially lock up the result. Despondov combined wonderfully with Otto , before then crossing for Chalov who finished clinically with a shot on the move to make it 2-0.

For the remainder of the match, PAOK were still the dominant side and created more opportunities to put more gloss on the the score, but neither of A. Zivkovic, Despodov, Konstantelias or Tissoudali could score, meaning the scoreline remained 2-0 with PAOK celebrating their first victory in the League Phase.

With this win, PAOK are back in the qualification frame and they now turn their attention to the upcoming match against Athens Kallithea at the Toumba Stadium for Matchday 13 of the 2024-25 Stoiximan Super League.

Team lineups:

RFS: Odoa, Balondis (Lemajic 66’), Prenga (Stuglis 70’), Lipushek, Savalnieks, Marhiev (Silagandze 28’), Panic, Zelenkovs, Odisaria, Ikaunieks, Kwandio.

PAOK: Kotarski, Otto (Sastre 81’), Kedziora, Michailides (Colley 46’), Baba, Ozdoev, Kamara, Despodov (Shoretire 81’), Konstantelias (Thymianis 86’), A. Zivkovic, Chalov (Tissoudali 66’).