PAOK-PAS Ioannina: With the “must” the black and whites, for the surprise of the Epiroites

THE PAOK welcomes him PAS Ioannina in Toumba as part of its 18th matchday Stoiximan Super League (20:30, NovasportsPrime, radio from News Bulletin 247 and live update from sport-fm.gr), in a game with clear favorites for the hosts and outsiders for the guests.

The “double head of the North” is in 2nd place in the standings with 38 points, equal to AEK and is at -2 from the leader, Panathinaikos, while Epirotes are tied with Kifissia in last place with 12 points and is also at -2 from Panaitolikos and Volos, the two highest places that ensure the stay.

Initially, the black and white side is looking for a return to winning ways, so that with a possible loss or draw of Panathinaikos in the match with AEK to be on top again. Razvan Lucescu’s team was defeated 2-1 by Aris in the Thessaloniki derby the previous matchday, where they paid the bad interval early in the second half and left with his head down for the first time since October 30 and the loss to AEK (2-0) at OPAP Arena.

Midweek he got the “double” with 2-0 against him Volossecuring qualification to the quarter-finals of the Cup and today’s match for the Romanian coach is a good opportunityin order for his players to find their rhythm and automation, getting three points that will give a boost to the psychological part as well.

“We focus on each game separately, that’s how we spent the previous days of the week and we are focused on the match with PAS Ioannina. No one is perfect, maybe it will do us good to take a “slap” like the one with Mars“, he said in his statements Meitewhile Lucescu’s direct partner, Pantelis Konstantinidisadded:

“First of all we must know that in football we cannot win all the games. Certainly, from the matches where you don’t get what you want, you have a lot to analyze.

PAS is a tough and strong team and fights in every match with all its strength to get a positive result. He pays attention to his defense and at the same time tries to take advantage of his counterattacks. It also has footballers who work well in static phases and are dangerous. In any case, they are a team to watch out for».

The Romanian will not be able to count him out Andre Vierigna who felt discomfort and stayed out of the mission, but also them Nasberg and Cricketas well as them Samata and Ekong who are absent for the Africa Cup of Nations.

In detail, the mission of PAOK: Kotarski, Zivkovic, Lyratzis, Sastre, Kenziora, Koulierakis, Michaelidis, Bamba, Rafa Soares, Schwab, Ozdoev, Meite, Marcos Antonio, Constantelias, Murg, Tyson, A. Zivkovic, Despodov, Brandon, Jimas.

On the opposite bank, PAS Ioannina the previous matchday he tasted the joy of victory after the premiere against Kifissia (3-0) on August 19! Epirotes won 2-1 against Asteras Tripoli, in a game in which they were behind in the score, but with two goals in four minutes (32′-36′) they took the lead and kept it until the final.

THE Michalis Grigoriou he was completely satisfied with the image shown by his players and today’s match may not have the “must”, but a competitive face until the end is necessary, which would be ideal for him if combined with a point or points.

The Greek technician will be deprived of his services Giorgos Pamlidis due to injury, but also of Chaos and Jima who are punished.

In detail, the mission of PAS Ioannina: Kleiman, Athanasiou, Bortagarai, Leo, Pantelakis, Eramouspe, Karachalios, Naoumis, Soria, Kiakos, Liassos, Rienstra, Gino, Soulis, Panagou, Bakadimas, Conte, Balan, Rosero, Kirkos, Eford, Begala.

Possible lineups:

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski – Sastre, Kenziora, Koulierakis, Baba – Ozdoev, Meite – Despodov, Murg, Tyson – Thomas.

PAS Ioannina (Mihalis Grigoriou): Kleiman – Soria, Eramouspe, Pantelakis, Tsoushis – Karahalios, Gino, Leo, Rossero – Balan, Conte.

Referee: Tsakalides

Assistants: Petropoulos, Fotopoulos

4th: Inhabitant

VAR: Koumbarakis, Papadakis