AEK-PAOK: “double-header” derby with different emotions

Europe is a thing of the past, the two “two-headed” live and breathe for victory in its derby OPAP Arena! THE AEK welcomes him PAOK (19:30, Cosmotesport2, bwinSPORT 94.6, sport-fm.gr) as part of its 9th matchday Stoiximan Super League.

The Greek champions are coming off a 3-1 defeat in Marseille by Marseille for the 3rd “turn” of the Europa League, where they were terribly unlucky, as after the draw with Pineda and in their good time, the Stankovic he made a tragic mistake, which led to his dismissal and the penalty he put, again, in front of the French. At the same time, injury problems continued to plague the Union, as Matias Almeida saw the Sidibe and Hadjisafi to leave with forced change.

In the domestic obligations, AEK the previous matchday passed Tripoli, defeating Asteras 3-0, thus achieving its second consecutive victory in the championship, with the protagonists of Cumber and Eliasson who each had a goal and an assist. Thus, the “yellow and black” are in the top four with 17 points, tied with PAOK and are -5 behind Panathinaikos, who have a game more after yesterday’s victory over Panserraikos (29/10).

In the racing data Matias Almeida saw him Mijat Gacinovic overcoming his injury, having trained normally and been included in the squad for the derby. The same applies to him Rodolfo Pissarrowho left his problem behind and entered the Argentinian coach’s options normally.

However, the good news about “Pelados” ends… here, since the Callens and Zini felt discomfort and were therefore knocked out of the OPAP Arena match.

For the persons who will take the starting jersey, everything will depend on the role that Almeida will give to Pineda. If the Mexican goes to the left, then Jonson-Symanski will remain in the center and Cumber he will move behind Ponce. In the other case, Pineda will stay in the center and one of Jonson or Szymanski will sit on the bench, with Zuber taking over on the left and behind Ponce will be Latch.

The mission (from which, among others, Garcia, Araujo and Hadjisafi are absent) consists in detail of the following: Stankovic, Athanasiadis, Mukudi, Mohammadi, Rota, Pelios, Vida, Mitoglou, Sidibe, Simanski, Jonsson, Gatsinovic, Pineda, Mandalos, Galanopoulos, Amrabat, Van Weert, Zuber, Ponce, Eliasson, Pissarro.

On the opposite bank, PAOK, is having a very good time in his competitive duties, both in Greece and, mainly, in Europe. The entirety of it Razvan Lucescu achieved a massive 3-2 win in Scotland against the Aberdeen, which came with an absolute upset from 2-0! The “two-headed man of the North” paid for his mistakes, but he was patient, he reduced with Despontov, equalized with Vieirania and Swab with a penalty kick he completed the “mythical” comeback. Thus, PAOK made it “3 out of 3” in their group and increased the chances for the first place that secures a direct ticket for the “16”.

In the championship, the Thessaloniki team had an easy task the previous matchday, after winning 2-0 against Atromitos, having the opportunities to score more goals. THE Magomed Ozdoev he was the main protagonist, who scored both goals, while Meite and Tyson were positive.



Razvan Lucescu cannot count on Mark Antony but also to Filipe Soares. For the starting eleven, Kotarski, Baba, Meite, Ozdoev, Zivkovic and Samata are considered certain, with question marks for Tyson, Constantelia and Ekong.

In detail, the players that make up the mission are: Kotarski, Zivkovic, Talikhmanidis, Vieirinia, Sastre, Kenziora, Ekong, Koulierakis, Nasberg, Baba, Tsigara, Schwab, Ozdoev, Meite, Murg, Constantelias, Tyson, A. Zivkovic, Despodov, Brandon, Samata.

Possible compositions:

AEK (Matias Almeida): Stankovic – Rota, Vida, Mukudi, Mohammadi – Eliasson, Szymanski, Jonsson, Pineda – Zuber – Ponce.

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski – Kenziora, Ekong, Koulierakis, Baba – Meite, Ozdoev – Zivkovic, Tyson, Constantelias – Samata.

Referee: Felix Brich

Assistants: Bors, Kempter

4th: Vergetis

VAR: Pearl, Buxbaum