PAOK found themselves with their backs against the wall, but stepped on the gas in the second half and golden changes from Zivkovic and Tisundali turned the game upside down in Athanasios Diakos and, winning 1-2, left Lamia doubled in the 10th. match day of the Stoiximan Super League.
PAOK Lamia saw the lead in Athanasios Diakos and even had opportunities to score more goals. Lucescu’s team, however, went on the gas in the second half and thanks to their changes the game turned around, with Živković and Tisundali signing the reversal with 1-2 in the 10th day of the Stoiximan Super League.
Three important points for PAOK in terms of points, while they are still close to Aris (-1), and psychologically before the big game at Old Trafford with Manchester United for the 4th round of the Europa League.
Dikefalos was the one who came into the first half stronger, he threatened Kostic, but Lamia found the way to the net first, and had opportunities to make it 2-0 before the break.
Right from the start, Razvan Lucescu’s team was in a high pressure mood. Except in the 4th Despontov tried to find Tomas in the area from the left, but Siovas got in front of the Spaniard, giving away a corner.
Two minutes later, Kostic kept it 0-0, saving his free kick Despodov, and in the 22nd minute PAOK missed another opportunity to open the scoring.
Somewhere is where the home team hit the switch, and they took the lead on the counter they did in the 33rd minute of the game.
Furtado carried the ball, went into the area, Lovren escaped nicely and shot into the right corner by Kotarski for 1-0.
Ten minutes later, Lamia came within a breath of a second goal, but Vlahomitros, who came out in a quarter with Kotarski, scored with the ball finishing behind the PAOK goalkeeper.
In the 45th minute, Kotarski’s terrible intervention was needed to prevent Dikefalos from conceding the second goal. Kenziora mistakenly cut back, Ring stole, headed, but the PAOK keeper jumped and made a one-handed save to keep it 1-0.
Talk about the changes in the second part
PAOK’s changes in the second half were golden, as they were the ones that brought them the two goals. First, Mr Živković equalized 1-1 for PAOK three minutes after entering the field in the 59th minute.
The ball after a counterattack ended up in the Serb, who took control and shot outside the area, sending the ball to the right Gama de Kostic.
In the 65th minute, there was almost a reversal, but Ozdoev’s header hit the post. Of course, it didn’t take long for Dikephalos to turn the game around and make it 1-2.
From Tyson’s effort from the left and Saramanda’s turn, the ball ended up on the crossbar, Tisundali taking the rebound and turning it around for PAOK.
In the 83′ the visitors came close to the third goal, they had a double chance with Živković and Tyson
- GHOUL: Kostic, Cornezos, Giannoutsos, Siovas (38′ Gotzamanidis), Radón, Saramandas (79′ Bykov), Nunes, Doiranlis (79′ Enrique), Furtado, Vlahomitros (66′ Lake), Ring.
- PAOK: Kotarski, Otto, Kenziora, Lovren, Baba, Schwab (56′ Ozdoev), Kamara, Despodov (81′ Chalov), Murg (56′ Zivkovic), Tyson (89′ Soretire), Thomas (56′ Tisundali).
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert:
Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we’re diving deep into the recent match of the Stoiximan Super League, where PAOK turned a challenging situation into a thrilling comeback against Lamia. Joining us is football expert, Dr. Elena Christopoulos, who’s here to shed light on the tactical adjustments made during the game. Welcome, Elena!
Dr. Christopoulos: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss such an exciting match.
Editor: Let’s start with the match context. PAOK faced a tough first half where they not only fell behind but also had to defend several key opportunities from Lamia. How critical was their mindset heading into the second half?
Dr. Christopoulos: It was crucial. PAOK’s players must have felt the pressure of being down—especially after Lamia’s early goal. The team showed resilience, which is a testament to their mentality. The coach, Razvan Lucescu, emphasized maintaining high pressure and intensity, and that focus can turn games around.
Editor: Absolutely. What did you think about the tactical changes made in the second half that particularly helped PAOK turn the game around?
Dr. Christopoulos: The substitutions were indeed pivotal. Lucescu brought on Živković and Tisundali, and both players had an instant impact. They injected fresh energy and creativity into the attack. It was a masterstroke; Živković’s intelligence and Tisundali’s speed changed the dynamics of the game, allowing PAOK to exploit Lamia’s defenses more effectively.
Editor: It sounds like the substitutions brought a new level of urgency to the PAOK side. Can you elaborate on how they specifically influenced the scoreline?
Dr. Christopoulos: Certainly! After the changes, PAOK was more aggressive in their approach. Živković, particularly, was exceptional in finding space and creating opportunities, which culminated in the equalizer. Tisundali, on the other hand, showcased his finishing skills, sealing the comeback victory with a crucial goal. It was a perfect example of how effective substitutions can rejuvenate a team.
Editor: Looking at the bigger picture, this win was significant not just for points in the league but also considering their upcoming match against Manchester United in the Europa League. How do you think this victory impacts their confidence moving forward?
Dr. Christopoulos: Winning in such a dramatic fashion certainly boosts their morale. Coming from behind speaks volumes about the character of the team. Moreover, beating Lamia in a challenging match paves the way for a positive mindset as they prepare to face a high-caliber team like Manchester United. Mental resilience is just as important as technical skill at that level.
Editor: Indeed. As we wrap up, do you have any predictions for how PAOK might approach the upcoming match in light of this victory?
Dr. Christopoulos: I expect them to focus on building their confidence on the ball and maintaining the aggressive pressing style that served them well in the second half. If they can carry forward that momentum and capitalize on their key players’ creativity, they might just surprise Manchester United.
Editor: Thank you, Elena, for your insightful analysis! It’s always a pleasure to hear your thoughts on football tactics and team dynamics.
Dr. Christopoulos: Thank you for having me! It was a pleasure.
Editor: And to our viewers, keep tuning in for more updates on your favorite teams and matches. Until next time!