PAOK Saloniki, Club's opponent in the UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, have beaten Panathinaikos 2-3.
PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu started the fixture with former Zulte Waregem player Meite in midfield, while while former Genk and Antwerp forward Ally Samatta started on the bench. It was a great start for the visitors when Kiril Despodov found the back of the net after just two minutes play. Despite that early goal, Panathinaikos controlled the game and leveled after thirty minutes via Bernard, but Thomas Murg teed up Brandon Thomas who put PAOK back in front before the break.
Panathinaikos had the upperhand in the second, but couldn't carve out a lot of clear-cut chances. On the contrary, PAOK added another goal to their tally when Stefan Schwab converted a late spot kick. Deep into stoppage time Bernard got his second of the evening, but that was it for the home side.
Thanks to this victory PAOK stays on the trail of AEK Athens. In Greece, playoffs are also being played, albeit without the points being halved like in the Belgian Pro League. PAOK had finished the regular league as the leader with 60 points, one piont ahead of AEK Athens. On the first match day, however, PAOK lost to Aris and saw AEK take over first positon following their win over Olympiakos. (EV)
PAOK: Kotarski, Otto (77’ Vierinha), Kedziora (46’ Näsberg), Koulierakis, Soares, Meite, Schwab, Despodov (61’ Zivkovic), Murg (61’ Konstantelias), Taison, Thomas (72’ Samatta).
Goals: 2’ Despodov (0-1), 29’ Bernard (1-1), 37’ Thomas (1-2), 89’ Schwab (penalty, 1-3),93’ Bernard (2-3).