PAOK edge closer to qualification with a glint in their eye
It was evident from the first seconds of the match. The body language of both the starting XI and the players on the bench spoke volumes of a team determined to beat Slavia Prague. They fought for every ball, gave everything they had, bringing intensity, strength and passion, combined with absolute concentration from the first to the last minute. And the result was a 2-0 win that gives PAOK a well-deserved opportunity to continue dreaming… of a European title.
After the disappointing start to 2025, the first reaction came in the previous league game with Aris. The victory that would change the players’ psychology did not come, but the foundations had been laid in that draw. Razvan Lucescu returned to the bench and guided his players to an excellent performance which brought three valuable points.
PAOK started with heightened intensity from the first whistle and showed that they would… die for the victory. Konstantelias entered the penalty area, was knocked down, but the referee and VAR did not see any violation. In the 14th minute, Taison fired the first warning shot, a wonderful, curling effort that was parried for a corner by Mandouš.
In the 24th minute, the solution came from the penalty spot. Michailides sent a lofted pass over the visiting defence and as Schwab attempted a header he was pushed in the back by Dudera, and the referee signaled the penalty award. The Austrian himself stepped iup to send the goalkeeper the wrong way and slot on to make it 1-0.
Slavia found a way to react and threaten. Kotarski saved Dorley’s shot in the 31st minute, while in the 38th minute Cytil hit the post with an impressive header. PAOK, on the other hand, saw Mandous deny Taison in a one-on-one situation in the 36th minute. The 1-0 score remained unchanged until the half-time break.
Slavia came out strong after the interval and looked for a way to level the match, but PAOK were solid defensively, while in attack, their pressing provided the impetus for another goal after 56 minutes. Taison, Konstantelias and Chalov pressed the opposing defense inside their penalty area, stole the ball and Konstantelias produced a perfect diagonal finish across the goalkeeper which went in off the post to make it 2-0 and essentially end the game as a contest.
Kotarski did however make another great save from Zima’s header in the 60th minute, but PAOK showed that they were in control of the match. In fact, they also had the luxury of missing further great opportunities to extend their winning margin with Konstantelias , Brandon, Shoretire, Schwab and Tissoudali all failing to convert chances.
The 2-0 victory essentially locks up qualification to the Europa League knockout stage and gives the team confidence for the rest of the season.
Team lineups:
PAOK: Kotarski, Otto, Michailides, Kedziora, Baba, Ozdoev, Schwab, Taison (Shoretire 76’), Konstantelias, Despodov (Tissoudalli 84’), Chalov (Brandon 63’).
Slavia Prague: Mandous, Konecny (Holes 66’), Ogbu, Zima, Dudera (Mikez 66’), Zafeiris, Dorley, Diouf, Lingr, Cyitil, Pech.
