The coach of the podium: The 4-3-3 of Spanos and the… counter-attacks of PAOK

With the score of the tie (1-1), Toumba left Ionicforcing him PAOK in a sharp landing after his midweek qualifier against Midtjylland.

At the same time, the Nikaians doubled the positive results against Thessaloniki, proving that the 3-2 victory in the first round was not just a coincidence.

The 4-3-3 of Spanou which came out perfectly to the guests, the paradoxical way of playing of PAOK and the lowering the pace who helped the Ionian. In detail, the key points for the final 1-1 in the game of Toumba:

* Spanos 4-3-3:

This year Ionian is basically used to either 4-2-3-1 either in systems with five back. Dimitris Spanos was forced to put them aside, given the significant absences of Kanias and Kiakouselecting it 4-3-3. However, not only did he not drop the… emergency lineup, but he managed to present a set with a specific plan, which may have surprised the opposing coach. The truth is that in essence, the basic principles of the “blue and whites” remained unchanged. Besides, despite the change of the system, the “reasoning” of the midfield and the midfield remained similar.

In this case, then, Ionikos did not risk a game set, having very good organization in the rear, with the duplications to play their part. PAOK -mainly in the first half- tried to threaten against, with the “blue and whites” having good returns. Spanos generally tries to find balance in the defensive transitions of his team and in this particular match he saw his players succeed. At the same time, the guests were indulging in good direct play that we are used to, creating many situations.

* The paradoxical and wrong way of playing PAOK:

«We entered a tempo very early and a kind of game that did not suit us. A very direct game that suited Ionikos better. We had to control the game better». THE Rasvan Lucescu, in his post-match statements, described in the best way what went wrong in the first half. PAOK tried to threaten me mainly counterattacks. And it was wrong not from the result (after all, as it was noted, Ionikos had given… rights in this field in previous games), but because in the last matches the “biceps of the North” he was starting to get a compass in his game seton which he should also rely against the Nicaeans.

* The lowering of the rhythm that helped Ionikos:

The guests started the second part with a double change (with Thuram and Platella passing instead of Mantzi and Sanchez), but without changing the system. Romao turned to the stoppers (to make a game) next to Czigrinski, with Dalcio becoming six, Platellas and Aosman were inside midfielders, while Lennis and Cabral flanked Thuram in the attack. In short, Spanos chased the match.

Of course, after a first half with a very good pace and many opportunities for the most part, the second was completely different. Slow tempo. Something that theoretically could help PAOK to “kill” the game. And yet, as if his players were also hypnotized.

At the same time, Ionikos kept his very good blocking face and when he found the opportunity he hit and scored. In fact, he could have made the complete upset in 70 ‘.

* Similar “excuses” for both:

Both were called upon to manage significant results. Agreed, a qualification to the “16” of a European tournament (as PAOK achieved in the Europa Conference League midweek) is not comparable to a “three points” in the league. However, the guests could also have appeared … seduced, after the “four” in the derby with Apollon Smyrnis. Something they did not do. At the same time, the hosts had to deal with many absences of key players. Apart from Akpom, Kurtic, Augusto, Crespo and Andrija Zivkovic plus Murg and Oliveira. Of course, Ionikos has to confront the absences of the trained Kanias and Kiakos, which forced him to change the system.

In this case: PAOK could well have invoked excuses for the result and maybe no one would have said anything to him. However, in this case – given that his opponent had similar “answers” – it probably would not be so valid.

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