PAOK-Hajduk: Panoplos for the qualification to the “hot” Toumba

In “hot” Toumba, PAOK will face Hajduk Split, in the rematch of the 3rd qualifying round European Conference League.

The Thessalonians will present themselves armourers against the Croatians, in a difficult game, as was evident from the first match, where Ivan Leko’s team troubled Dominik Kotarski several times, while he also had two beams.

The “black and white” will have to come into the game strongly and look for the quick goal, which if they succeed, will give them a very important advantage for the rest of the match. As for the starting line-up, it is very likely that they will start in this one Ozdoev and Samata.

“In such competitions with no results you cannot be safe. We have one game ahead of us for qualification and we are playing at home. With this 0-0 we practically canceled the advantage of Hajduk who had the first match at home. We gave ourselves a chance in an atmosphere in Toumba which will help us a lot.” said initially Razvan Lucescu, to continue:

“As I’ve said before, I’m not afraid of anything. There is simply anxiety and pressure for the result, for the qualification. It won’t be an easy game, we know that. At the moment Hajduk have a different set-up, they are a team with quality that can cause problems, they are above Dinamo in Croatia.

It needs 100% concentration and intensity from everyone. I have a very strong belief in the team, because I have seen them since day one. I told you after the match with Beitar that I have a good feeling about the team and I still have it. As I saw the team in Split, I see how my players behave especially under the pressure they received there. It is a situation that is constantly reinforced in my mind. It requires absolute attention for qualification to come, but I have confidence in the team.”

On the other hand, Hajduk will have almost all of her weapons, with the exception of him pukstas, who was injured a few days before the first game of the two teams and will be sidelined for some time.

“We think we are smarter after what we saw in the first game. Both PAOK and us have our strengths and weaknesses. One thing is certain, we will have to stop his best players, we will have to show intelligence, calmness and great concentration.” stated, among other things, the coach of the Croatians, Ivan Leko.

The winner of the pair will face the winner of the pair Rosenborg-Harts, with the Norwegians taking a 2-1 win in the first leg. Of course, PAOK’s eventual qualification would be a great result for Greece as well, as it would leave Croatia with one less representative in Europe.

Possible lineups:

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski, Kenziora, Koulierakis, Ekong, Baba, Tsingaras, Ozdoev, Zivkovic, Narey, Tyson, Samata.

Hajduk Split (Ivan Leko): Lucic, Moufi, Sarlia, Fero, Majjak, Krovinovic, Sigur, Mlakar, Ofoe, Sahiti, Livaya.

Referee: Sascha Stegemann (Germany)