This time it didn’t work either PAOK to celebrate a home game win in Greece or Europe. Athens Kallithea, thanks to a goal from Isimat-Mirin in the second minute of stoppage time, drew 2-2 in the 13th game (the last of the first round) of their league Super league.
The “black and white”, wich was enjoying – frozen and few people – Toumba as august 25, was in charge twice. First with Yannis Constantelias (21′) and then with Kirill Despontov (82′). The visitors had the same number of responses, though, with Giannis Loukinas (59′) and Isimat-Mirin, basically redeeming their excellent second half.
With Javier Matilla, Demetrius and Mathieu Valbuena on the field, the visitors tried and partially succeeded in controlling the pace of the game.Apart from the 2nd minute step, when Bernabe Barragan pushed the ball over the crossbar in Constantia’s shot, the “black and white” coudl not have created more dangerous situations.
Until we reached the 21st minute. Despontov crossed from the right, Baragan miscalculated and, before the ball hit the grass, Constantelias left his foot into the net for 1-0. Eight minutes later,from Constantelia’s attempt,Fedor Chalov failed from an advantageous position when he tried to return. Massimo Donati’s players tried to respond and within a quarter of a minute they had two good saves.
First Samba Dibe’s shot (34′) sent the ball over the posts and then Lucina’s header (37′) sent the ball into the sky into Dominik Kotarski’s home net. Four minutes later, with a free kick, Despodov fed Chalov to score, but the goal was disallowed as Abdul Rahman Baba was ahead of Baragan when he was onside.
The first half ended with Despontov’s foul, sending the ball into the arms of the Spanish goalkeeper Athens Kallithea FC. and the second started with an unbelievable missed opportunity for the visitors.Kotarski, without pressure,… made a pass to Lucina who missed with his left and the goal was reached. Three minutes later, the Croatian keeper caught the Greek striker before heading home from three yards, following a cross from Mor Endiage.
And after the 1-1 had not come, the penalty came for PAOK in the 53rd minute. Or, at least, that’s what Thanasis Tzilos showed in the first year, when Despontov’s shot found the ball in the corner of Triantafyllos Pasalidis. after intervention by the VAR (Petros Tsagarakis and Stefanos Koumbarakis) and on field review, referee Larisa took back his original decision.
The home team, though, … paid no attention to the ticking clocks, and the visitors eventually leveled in the 59th minute. Valbuena made the cross with the right and Loukinas threw himself behind the stops and made it 1-1 with a projection. The game went at a fast pace, with both teams looking for a second goal.
The one who finally got it was PAOK. thanks to despontov, the Bulgarian player produced a superb display with a free-kick in the 82nd minute that fooled Baragan. Everything from Donati, with the changes he made.
And his players justified it. Valbuena’s cross in the 88th minute did not find a target, Baba fired the 40-year-old French midfielder out for a corner in the 90th minute, but from the corner that Valbuena executed, Isimat-Mirin leveled the score at 2 -2.
With this score, PAOK remained unbeaten in Toumba for the seventh game in a row in Greece and Europe, and missed the chance to stay at -1 from the pioneer Olympiakos. On the other hand, yes, Athens Kallithea is still - the onyl team – without “three points”, however, with the point in Toumba, he also received a significant psychological boost in the face of the ongoing.
Referee: Thanasis Tzilos (Larissa)
Yellow ones: Koley – Matiya, Pasalidis, Marota, Soiri, Demetrius.
The composition of the two teams:
PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski, Sastre (77’ otto), Kenziora, Koley, Baba, Schwab, Ozdoev, Murg (64′ Tyson), Constantelias, Despodov, chalov (64′ Tisundali).
KALLITHEA Athens (Massimo Donati): Baragan, Soiri (87′ New), Pasalidis (67′ Manthatis), Isimat-Mirin, Ediage, hanousek (67′ Marota), Matthias, diba, Demetrius (87′ Uldrikis), Loukinas (67’ Giani ), Valbuena.
*tension after the end of the match between the benches of both teams, with PAOK’s technical director, Christos Karypides, being sent off.
How can PAOK improve their game management to avoid disappointing draws in future matches?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today we’re diving into the recent Super League match between PAOK and Athens Kallithea, which ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Joining me is renowned football analyst, Dr. Sofia Nikolopoulos. Sofia, thanks for being here!
Dr. Nikolopoulos: Thank you for having me! It’s great to discuss a match that had such a thrilling finish.
Editor: Let’s get right to it. PAOK seemed to have the upper hand early in the game with goals from Yannis Constantelias and Kirill Despontov. What do you think went wrong for them?
Dr. Nikolopoulos: While PAOK did take the lead twice,their inability to maintain composure in the final minutes was crucial. When a team goes ahead, especially at home, there’s frequently enough a psychological pressure to hold that lead. The moment Isimat-Mirin scored in stoppage time, it was clear that PAOK had dropped their intensity and focus at a critical moment.
Editor: Absolutely, and that stoppage-time equalizer must feel like a sucker punch. Was there a particular tactical shift from Athens Kallithea that changed the momentum in their favor?
dr. Nikolopoulos: Definitely. Athens Kallithea adjusted their formation in the second half, allowing them to press more aggressively. The introduction of players like Isimat-mirin made a significant difference, as they were able to exploit gaps left by PAOK’s defense, notably with more attacking play as the match progressed. Their equalizer wasn’t just luck; it was a testament to their resilience and tactical flexibility.
Editor: Speaking of players,how impactful do you think veterans like Mathieu Valbuena were during the match? Did they contribute effectively to PAOK’s strategy?
Dr. Nikolopoulos: Valbuena has immense experience,and his presence on the pitch is meant to guide younger players and control the tempo of the game. However, on this occasion, while he played his part, it seemed that the team as a whole struggled to establish a rhythm. The visitors managed to partially neutralize his influence, which is critical in maintaining possession and creating chances.
Editor: that makes sense. Moving forward, what dose PAOK need to address to rebuild their momentum in the league?
Dr.Nikolopoulos: They need to focus on defensive solidity and game management, particularly in high-pressure situations. Interaction among defenders must improve, and also their ability to close out games. Balancing offensive creativity with defensive awareness will be key in the upcoming fixtures.
Editor: Excellent insights, Sofia! Lastly, how do these kinds of matches, with such late drama, affect team morale and fan engagement?
Dr. Nikolopoulos: Late goals can either uplift or demoralize teams and fans. For Kallithea, it’s a huge morale boost, reinforcing their belief in their capabilities. For PAOK, they’ll have to shake off the disappointment quickly to avoid lingering negativity.Simultaneously occurring, for fans, witnessing such thrilling moments keeps the excitement alive, fostering a deeper connection to the club, regardless of the final outcome.
Editor: Thank you so much for your expert analysis, Sofia! the drama of football truly lies in moments like these, and we’ll surely keep our eyes on the upcoming matches.
Dr. Nikolopoulos: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game.