On his debut at the helm of PAOK’s U20 side, Pablo García fielded a 4-1-2-3 without Dodontsakis (suspended) and Τζοβάρα (injured). Siampanis was the starting goalkeeper, Papathanasiou and Κapretsos played as right and left full-back respectively, Dimitriou and Polyzos as centre-backs. Κyrillidis was the holding midfielder, with Chatzidimpas and Chatzistravos assuming a more creative role in front of him. Stathopoulos spearheaded the attack, Papadopoulos featured in the left wing and Μattheou on the right.

PAOK players started strongly, got ball possession right from the start and looked for space leading to the opposite box. In the first 20 minutes, Stathopoulos got close to the opener three times. Until the end of the first half, PAOK wasted some good opportunities to score, but Panetolikos goalkeeper denied Kyrillidis and Papadopoulos with impressive saves. Papathanasiou had a shot on woodwork, while Stathopoulos’s shot before half-time went just wide.

Following a tough preseason, it is only natural for fatigue to appear in the first official matches of the season. Therefore, PAOK players failed to keep the same pace in the second half. Panetolikos continued defending in numbers and were looking for counterattacking opportunities, but the backline of the “Double-Headed Eagle” reacted well when under pressure. On the attacking front, there was intent but combinations didn’t come out as planned. They just crossed or attempted long-range shots, failing to bring the ball in Panetolikos’s box and breaking the deadlock.

PAOK U20s showed fine qualities in their first official match of the season, but they need work to knit the group tightly. There is a long journey ahead in the league and the “Double-Headed Eagle” are only aiming high.

PAOK U20: Siampanis, Papathanasiou, Polyzos, Dimitriou, Kapretsos (75′ Meletidis), Kyrillidis, Chatzidimpas, Chatzistravos, Papadopoulos (46′ Tsaousis), Stathopoulos (70′ Konstantinou), Mattheou.