Harry Redknapp's nightmares in… black and white
PAOK recorded an important 1-0 victory over QPR in “Loftus Road”, twelve days before their season kicks off officially.
Apart from the result, the performance of Angelos Anastasiadis’ troops can be labeled as very encouraging. This time round, PAOK head coach didn’t make massive substitutions early and opted for determined line-up and tactics.
PAOK pressured high up the pitch and claimed control of the encounter right from the start. They succeeded in that even after the substitutions, evidencing that the players have adapted nicely to their coach’s mentality and football philosophy.
Meanwhile they weren’t really threatened at the back. The most clear-cut chances to score were created after the interval, with Stefanos Athanasiadis on two occasions – at the second time of asking, the Greek international forward was denied by the post. But ‘Klaus’ was determined for the ball to go in, therefore he switched to creator. Following an accurate pass by Kyriakos Savvidis, he teed up beautifully Facundo Pereyra in the box. The latter crossed the ball and Clint Hill only succeeded in diverting it past his own keeper, while trying to prevent Róbert Mak from scoring.
Despite Charlie Austin´s big chance for an equalizer at stoppage time, PAOK held on to their 1-0 victory, sending out positive vibes ahead of their official engagements later this month. As for Harry Redknapp he suffered his second loss to PAOK in London, following the 1-2 defeat in “White Hart Lane” in November 2011 when he was in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.
Unfortunately this pleasant outing to London was overshadowed by Dimitris Konstantinidis’ knee injury. The Katerini full back will be submitted to further medical tests upon the expedition’s return to Thessaloniki.
QPR: Green, Simpson (67′ Henry), Caulker, Ferdinand (57′ Hill), Barton, Austin, Wright-Phillips, Mutch, Faurlín (67′ Phillips), Dunne, Hoilett (57′ Zamora)
PΑΟΚ: Glykos (71′ Giakoumis), Tzavellas (46′ Skondras), Vítor (46´ Katsikas), Raț (66′ Spyropoulos), Kitsiou (46′ Konstantinidis, 58′ Tziolis), Kace, Maduro (71′ Tzandaris), Golasa (66′ Savvidis), Mak (71′ Pozatzidis), Salpingidis (66′ Pereyra), Athanasiadis (71′ Koulouris)
