The series of four consecutive matches against Olympiacos in the final part of the season began with a goalless draw in Thessaloniki. PAOK wanted it more, pressing right up to the finale, but Pedro Martins decided to focus on defence throughout the second half and probably returned to Athens happy with the result.

The derby started with Olympiacos trying to spring a surprise with an early effort by Masouras, but Paschalakis was there to block his cross-shot. Olympiakos’ wide man scored on 12 minutes but the ‘goal’ was ruled out for offside and that was more or less the end of the visitors’ attacking efforts at the Toumba.

On their part, PAOK balanced things out immediately before gradually taking full control of the tempo of the game. The home side enjoyed long spells of possession and raised their performance to threaten the visitors’ goal.

The Olympiacos goalkeeper made a great save on 32 minutes from Andrija Zivkovic’s shot form the right side of the penalty area, and PAOK threatened again four minutes later, but Akpom could not find the target from a good position with a header.

In the second half PAOK continued to have the ball, but the corridors through to the opposing penalty area were even more limited as the visitors began to get everyone behind the ball.

PAOK did have some good opportunities to get in behind their opponents, but they lacked composure at the crucial moments and with their final passes. Biseswar had two efforts on goal, while Lyratzis also sent a shot wide in the last minute.

The 0-0 scoreline leaves the tie delicately balanced, with PAOK needing either a victory, or a score draw to progress to another Greek Cup final.

Team lineups:

PAOK (Lucescu): Paschalakis, Lyratzis, Ingason, Crespo, Sidcley, Kurtic, Augusto, Biseswar, Jaba, A.Zivkovic (66′ Mitrita), Akpom (79′ Oliveira).

Olympiacos (Martins): Vaclik, Lala, Papastathopoulos, Manolas, Reabciuk, M’Vila, Bouchakalis, M. Kamara (87′ Kunde), Garry Rodrigues (79′ Carvalho), Masouras (94′ Vrousai), Tiquinho (79′ El Arabi).